News

​Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) can have elevated risk of experiencing difficulties in swallowing and malnutrition. To prevent this, enteral nutrition through feeding tube (TF) insertion is encouraged when undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Whilst TFs are a proactive measure, the unpredictability of nutrition-impacting symptom development and the absence of consistent guidelines for informed decision-making of TF insertion can result in unnecessary TF procedures and patient distress.

Each year, oncology nurses from across Canada gather at the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology/Association canadienne des infirmières en oncologie (CANO/ACIO) conference to connect, share knowledge and advance their expertise in oncology nursing, patient engagement and interdisciplinary practice.

At the 2024 CANO/ACIO conference in St. John's, Newfoundland, BC Cancer nurses made their mark, hosting innovative presentations and workshops that showcased their leadership in advancing oncology nursing excellence.

Dr. Jae-Yung Kwon is an affiliated researcher with the BC Cancer Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation department and assistant professor at the University of Victoria’s School of Nursing. His work is focused on promoting person-centred care and enhancing quality of life for cancer patients. Jae-Yung recently presented his research findings during the Poster Session at the International Society of Quality of Life (ISOQOL) conference, and was awarded the 2023 New Investigator Award.

Five BC Cancer researchers are 2024 recipients of the Michael Smith Health Research BC’s Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator competition, receiving new funding to conduct critical research, develop innovative treatments, and translate their findings into practices that benefit people across BC.

She introduced additional recycling bins, illustrative posters and education at BC Cancer – Abbotsford and Paulina Batke, registered nurse, saw an 83 per cent reduction in the number of recyclable items tossed in the garbage over four weeks.

Congratulations to BC Cancer’s Mar’yana Fisher and Chantelle Recsky on receiving a 2023 Canadian Health Research Institute (CIHR) Health System Impact (HSI) Fellowship!

The HSI Fellowship is awarded to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who will work directly with health organizations to tackle real-world health system challenges.