Who is the radiation therapy physics group?
The UBC Radiation Therapy Physics Group is composed of physicists affiliated with UBC who perform research and clinical work at BC Cancer Vancouver and Surrey Centres. Our research efforts focus on various aspects of radiation therapy treatment.
About the Vancouver Centre
“The Medical Physics group at the BC Cancer – Vancouver Centre is a dynamic group of physicists working at the leading edge of radiation therapy treatment, research and innovation. The Vancouver Centre is the largest of six BC Cancer centres delivering cancer care in the province. We have a long history of medical physics dating back to the 1948 when Dr. Harold Batho helped introduce radiation therapy in British Columbia. Since that time the group has expanded and evolved, now actively collaborating with a wide range of groups in the Vancouver Lower Mainland and beyond.”
– Cheryl Duzenli – BC Cancer Vancouver Professional Practice Lead
Facilities
BC Cancer offers state-of-the-art treatment and research facilities. Approximately 4300 patients are treated per year in Vancouver alone. As of 2021, facilities available include:
- Ten specialized linear accelerators equipped with gating and on-board imaging technology, VMAT, FFF beam modes, dynamic tumour tracking (VERO) and surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT).
- An active brachytherapy program (HDR, for gynecological and other applications, ultrasound guided prostate implant program and eye plaques).
- Total body irradiation facility in collaboration with the Bone Marrow Transplant Program.
- SRS/SRT with BrainLab© ExacTrac® technology.
- Highly active stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy SABR (SBRT) program.
- Two PET-CT scanners (functional imaging centre).
- Cyclotron based isotope production facility on site.
BC Cancer has an active FLASH research program supporting murine model studies, as well as delivery and dosimetry development. Our group is a leader in Monte Carlo simulation applied to problems in radiation therapy and houses a large cluster supporting this work. Radiobiology labs and small animal irradiation/imaging facilities are available nearby at the BCCRC.
Clinical and Research Collaborations
We collaborate with many groups and centres on a frequent basis.
- TRIUMF
- UBC Eye Care Centre
- BC Cancer Research Centre, Integrative Oncology (radiobiology), Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, Mohamed Khan’s lab, Francois Benard’s lab
- BCCA Functional Imaging Centre
- UBC Department of Surgery, Division of Developmental Radiotherapeutics
- Vancouver General Hospital – Neurological Sciences, Bone Marrow Transplant Program
- BC Childrens Hospital
- Screening Mammography Program of BC
This list is not exhaustive.
Associated Programs
We offer CAMPEP-accredited graduate and residency training programs.
- CAMPEP-accredited joint UBC/BC Cancer Graduate Medical Physics program
- CAMPEP-accredited BC Cancer Medical Physics Residency program
- UBC/BC Cancer Radiation Oncology Residency Program
Associated Professional Organizations
Many of our members are associated with, or interact with, the following organizations.
Locations
BC Cancer is composed of distinct regional centres which are distributed throughout the province. Each is part of BC Cancer within the Provincial Health Services Authority, though facilities and operations are slightly different in each.
Centres are distributed throughout the province in relation to the population density. Centres include
- Abbotsford,
- Surrey,
- Kelowna,
- Prince George,
- Vancouver,
- and Victoria.