Vivien E.
Basco - Vancouver
After
attending university in the 1950s and 1960s, in England and in British
Columbia, Dr. Vivien Basco began practicing radiation oncology in
this province in 1966. From that time to the present, she has consistently
shown leadership in her field of practice. Dr. Basco introduced
lymphography into British Columbia and was the first to use radiotherapy
techniques in the treatment of Hodgkin's Disease; she was instrumental
in launching the first national clinical study of that disease.
She has saved
countless lives and has been an inspiration to several generations
of medical students. Dr. Basco has headed many specially focused
medical groups such as the Lymphoma Tumor and Breast Tumor groups
of the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Outside of her regular working
duties and hours, Dr. Basco recognized the life-saving potential
of screening for early signs of breast cancer and set her goal to
make the technology available to all women in British Columbia.
She provided
the leadership and impetus to bring together the diverse group of
individuals - family physicians, patient advocates, radiologists,
epidemiologists, oncologists, pathologists, administrators and government
representatives - who would shape the screening mammography project.
Her persistence,
diplomacy and persuasiveness have resulted in a unique, cost-effective
screening mammography program, years ahead of others in North America.
Dr. Basco also
contributed her time freely to teach groups of specialists, family
practitioners and the general public. On a personal level, she has
become a sensitive, caring physician in the difficult and emotional
field of cancer medicine. Her years of dedicated, unselfish work
have benefitted all and will continue to benefit thousands of British
Columbians in a direct and significant way.
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