New Surgical Centre in Metro Vancouver Halves Skin Cancer Wait Times

A new surgical centre in Metro Vancouver aims to significantly reduce waiting times for skin cancer surgeries. Opening on October 28, 2023, the Seymour dermatology and Mohs centre in Richmond will offer six new procedure rooms, allowing for an increase of up to 3,000 additional surgeries annually. This initiative is expected to cut current waiting times in half for patients in British Columbia, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, where some have faced delays of up to 18 months.

Dr. Irén Kossintseva, a skin cancer surgeon and clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia, is among the dedicated team behind this project. She noted the strain of long wait times, stating, “Waiting more than a year for surgery is devastating.” Previously, Kossintseva and her colleagues worked tirelessly, often completing surgeries late into the night, to meet patient needs.

Innovative Solutions to an Urgent Problem

The new facility is the result of collaboration between three female surgeons—Kossintseva, Dr. Angela Burleigh, and Dr. Noelle Wong—and the leadership at Seymour Health Clinic. In a meeting with Dr. Eric Cadesky, chief medical officer at Seymour Health, they proposed retrofitting underutilized rooms at the Shellbridge Health Clinic for Mohs surgery. Cadesky supported their vision, leading to rapid progress.

“They made it happen at lightning speed,” remarked Kossintseva, reflecting on the fast-tracked development process. With increased capacity, the centre will be able to remove an additional 1,500 patients from the waiting list each year. This innovative approach addresses both the pressing demand for surgeries and the operational challenges faced by healthcare providers.

The Mohs micrographic surgery performed at the new centre is a highly effective technique, boasting a cure rate of over 99 percent. This procedure is particularly suited for cancers on sensitive areas of the body, such as the face and hands, where immediate cosmetic reconstruction is crucial. Kossintseva emphasized the dual nature of the surgery: “The process is a science, and an art.”

Transforming Patient Care in British Columbia

The centre’s opening comes at a critical time, as one in seven people in British Columbia will experience skin cancer in their lifetime. For solid-organ transplant recipients, the risk is significantly higher due to immunosuppression. The facility not only aims to enhance patient outcomes but also to provide a more efficient healthcare environment.

The Mohs surgical process involves real-time examination of tissue samples to ensure complete cancer removal while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. Kossintseva describes the meticulous nature of the work, comparing the evaluation of tumours to examining icebergs with hidden dimensions.

Surgeons operate efficiently, managing up to three patients simultaneously, ensuring minimal downtime. The new centre’s capacity will increase from 2,600 surgeries annually to 5,200, reflecting a significant improvement in patient access and care.

“This new centre is a dream come true and will help thousands of patients across B.C.,” said Dr. Wong, who serves as the division head of dermatology at St. Paul’s Hospital.

Dr. Cadesky noted the broader implications of this facility, stating, “We know our public healthcare system is under tremendous strain. This is the utopia that most doctors have been asking for: to innovate and improve patient care.”

The establishment of the Seymour dermatology and Mohs centre represents a proactive step forward in addressing healthcare challenges and improving the lives of many individuals facing skin cancer treatment in British Columbia. As the facility opens its doors, both patients and healthcare professionals alike anticipate a brighter future in the realm of surgical care.