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To wrap up National Nursing Week, come spend a day in the life with Chelsea, a clinical nurse mentor who has devoted 17 years to oncology nursing. From advocating for patients to mentoring fellow nurses, her work reflects the compassion, expertise and leadership oncology nurses bring to cancer care every day. Thank you to all of our nursing professionals for the incredible impact you make. Interested in being part of a team that makes a difference every day? Learn more about nursing careers at BC Cancer: https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/careers/nursing-careers

We are continuing to celebrate National Nursing Week by recognizing the dedication and expertise of nurses across the province. Swipe through to read more stories from our nursing professionals and hear how they support patients and families, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and grow in specialized oncology roles every day. If you are inspired by their experiences and considering where your nursing career could take you, we invite you to learn more: https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/careers/nursing-careers

Join us next week on Wednesday for a virtual nutrition class - Eating Well on Your Cancer Journey - led by a BC Cancer registered dietitian! • Available to anyone with cancer, regardless of where or if they received treatment • Information is most appropriate for anyone at low or moderate risk of malnutrition • Family or friends of people with cancer looking for nutrition information can also register 📅 When: Wednesday, May 20 from 1:30-2:30 PM PST 🔗 Register here: https://ow.ly/XZPv50WJeLH Can’t make it? Future sessions will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:30-2:30 PM PST.

Pamela isn’t the type to respond to comments on social media, but when she saw people discouraging others from doing cervix self-screening, she knew she had to share her story. At age 65, shortly before leaving for her very first solo trip, Pamela learned about cervix self-screening and thought why not? She got the kit, did the vaginal swab and popped it in the return envelope before jumping on a plane to Korea. The retired caregiver, who worked in hospitals and care homes, knows the importance of preventive medicine. She’d always got her Pap tests but it wasn't always convenient living on the Gulf Islands. This was easy. When Pamela returned from her trip, she got a call from her local hospital letting her know that her test had found HPV-16 and they had booked her for a colposcopy, to see if there were abnormal cells on her cervix. Everyone’s experience is different, but the colposcopy wasn’t too painful for Pamela. It didn’t feel great, like they were scraping her cervix as they took the biopsies, but it was thankfully quick. The gynecologist and nurse were chatting with Pamela to put her at ease, but she found she couldn’t respond because of the discomfort. Still, she appreciated how the gynecologist talked her through each step and made her feel in control. Pre-cancerous cells were found on Pamela’s cervix, so she was booked in for a LEEP to remove them. This time they froze her cervix which Pamela was nervous about, but it was less painful than getting freezing at the dentist. Once again, the gynecologist talked Pamela through what she was doing at each step. She and the nurse were very reassuring. The mother of six and grandmother of eleven is used to doing the caring so it was nice to feel cared for. It was another quick procedure – over in about 15 minutes. Addressing the social media concerns about doing the test yourself, Pamela explains, “the first step is in your hands. I did the kit myself, then I let the health care professionals take over with appointments and procedures.” Because of this, Pamela was able to stop cervical cancer from developing. Request a kit: screeningbc.ca/cervix Read more stories or share yours: screeningstories.ca

During National Nursing Week, we’re proud to share the voices of three BC Cancer nurses who play a vital role in delivering high-quality cancer care across our centres. Their reflections offer a glimpse into the collaborative teams, meaningful relationships, and purpose-driven work that define nursing at BC Cancer. Swipe through to read their stories and see the impact these nursing professionals make every day. Inspired to take the next step? Explore nursing career opportunities at BC Cancer: https://ow.ly/RB9850YWMCi

This National Nursing Week, we are proud to celebrate the nursing professionals who deliver compassionate, specialized cancer care at BC Cancer. Swipe through to hear from three Nurses as they share what draws them to oncology nursing, how their teams support one another, and the meaningful connections they build with people living with cancer across British Columbia. If their stories inspire you to explore a nursing career at BC Cancer, take the next step. Apply today: https://jobs.phsa.ca/bccancer-nursing

This National Nursing Week, we honor the vital role of nurses in cancer care. BC Cancer is taking this time to celebrate and recognize the amazing contributions of the nursing professionals who play a crucial role in patient care. Including: - Registered Nurses - Nurse Practitioners - Licensed Practical Nurses - Clinical Nurse Leaders, Specialists and Educators - Virtual Oncology Nurses - And many more! At BC Cancer, nurses play an essential role in the care, treatment and education of cancer patients throughout the province. Using a patient-centred approach, these dedicated professionals maintain the highest standards of care and treatment. The support and information provided by oncology nurses extends to families and the community, who look to BC Cancer as an international leader in cancer care, treatment and research. Thank you for all you do! Interested in joining a team of incredible Nurses? Learn more about our current opportunities: https://jobs.phsa.ca/bccancer-nursing

BC Cancer is planning a new cancer centre in Nanaimo, opening in 2028. This future centre will expand access to high-quality cancer care for Vancouver Island communities and create a wide range of career opportunities for Physicians, Nurses, PET Technologists, Radiation Therapists, Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Medical Physicists. If you are considering your next career move, or planning ahead, learn more about the new cancer centre in Nanaimo and future opportunities: bccancer.bc.ca/careers-nanaimo For early expressions of interest: [email protected] #BCCancerCareers #NanaimoBC #HealthCareCareers #FutureOfCare

As featured in our Cancer Prevention Indicator Report, more than half of melanoma cases in 2015 were linked to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds. About one-third of Canadians experienced at least one sunburn in the past year. A history of sunburns, even mild ones, increases skin cancer risk. As outdoor activities pick up this season, consider simple steps like slipping on protective clothing, slopping on SPF, and slapping on a hat. #SkinCancerAwarenessMonth #SunAwarenessMonth #SunSafety

Join us next week on Wednesday for a virtual nutrition class – Food Choices to Manage Bowel Changes – led by a BC Cancer registered dietitian! The class is most appropriate for patients with tumours located in the colorectal, gynecological and prostate areas. Class content will focus on: • Food choices to manage bowel symptoms, such as diarrhea, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation and discomfort • Managing treatment side effects of the bowel through diet; and • Preventing or reducing risk of a bowel blockage. 📅 When: Wednesday, May 13, 2:30-3:30 PM PST 🔗 Register here: https://ow.ly/5ONp50Y42MI Can't make it? Future sessions will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2:30-3:30 PM PST.

We often think about sun exposure in the moment, but it’s the total over time that matters. UV exposure is cumulative, meaning every time we’re in the sun without protection, it builds up and can increase long-term risk of skin cancer. UV exposure adds up. Sun protection should too. With May marking Sun Awareness Month, consider layering shade, clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen when you’re outdoors. Learn more at bccancer.bc.ca/prevention/sun-safety

Happy National Physicians' Day! Today, BC Cancer proudly celebrates and extends our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated Physicians who care for patients and their families across the province. Physicians — including General Practitioners in Oncology, Medical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Hematologists, and more — play an essential role in every step of the cancer journey. From diagnosis and treatment to follow-up care and survivorship, they provide expert medical knowledge, compassionate care, and invaluable leadership within our multidisciplinary teams. At BC Cancer, Physicians deliver specialized care across medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and beyond — helping to offer innovative treatments, improve outcomes, and bring hope to those facing cancer. Join a multidisciplinary team delivering leading-edge cancer care across BC. Learn about Physician careers at the link in our bio.