Supporting Cancer Care in Brant

The Brant Community Cancer Clinic (BCCC), located at The Brantford General Site of the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS), opened its doors to our first cancer patient in March of 1996. Originally established as a satellite campus of the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre, the Brant Community Cancer Clinic provides access to cancer services for our local population and surrounding areas.   In August 2011, the BCCC celebrated an expansion to our cancer care program at The Brantford General. The clinic’s services have expanded to a full-time clinic treating over 3000 patients annually. The expansion of services included the addition of a full time Medical Oncologist (Dr.Brian Lee) and the acquisition of a General Practitioner – Oncology. This wonderful news is a timely message for many of our patients who can now access cancer services in their own community.    Expanded services at the Brant Community Cancer Clinic will also help us respond and serve the increase in cancer care patients in our community; a 70% growth is projected over the next five years.     Until recently, many of our community residents had to travel to other cancer centres to receive diagnosis, treatment and follow up consultations. This can be difficult for our patients, many of whom are in a fragile physical and mental state due to their illness. Our cancer care expansion means that many of these patients will be able to access services here at the BCHS and will benefit from a more convenient treatment experience, receive essential care from our expert nurses and physicians and eliminate stressful travel arrangements.     The exciting news of the Brant Community Cancer Clinic expanding does create challenges for our current operations. An increase in cancer patients will mean frequent use of our medical equipment. New and replacement technology and equipment is needed to accommodate the higher volume of patients in all services. This increase to our Cancer Services will also mean an impact on many other areas that support cancer care at the BCHS, including diagnostic imaging, laboratory, surgical, and pharmacy departments.  Although several pieces of equipment must be purchased to keep up with the growing demand of our increased patient load, with our successful win for the Aviva Community Fund we plan to purchase an Immunohistochemistry stainer.     Immunohistochemistry Stainer ($150,000 in value): is state-of-the-art equipment used in the laboratory to “tag” and identify tumours. Using this state-of-the-art technique, the laboratory is able to identify the type of tumour, verify they got all of the tumour in surgery, and aid in the appropriate treatment and prognosis for each patient. It is essential in assisting the Pathologist to read each specimen and provide an accurate and timely diagnosis to the Physician or Oncologist and to help determine appropriate and unique courses of treatment for each patient.     Investing in Cancer Care at the Brant Community Healthcare System will assist The Brantford General to offer high quality cancer care to our community.   Together we are transforming healthcare in our community!