Cancer 

• Cancer is the leading cause of death in BC—it accounts for more lives lost than heart disease every year.
• 1 in 2 British Columbians will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime; 1 in 4 will die from it.
• The most common cancers in BC are breast (in women), prostate (in men), colorectal, and lung.
• Thanks to BC’s screening programs and tobacco-control, cancer death rates have declined dramatically—millions of lives saved over the past three decades.

BC’s screening programs for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer are among the best in Canada.

• Cervical cancer:
• Screen all people with a cervix aged 25–69 (women, trans, non-binary, Two-Spirit), who are or have ever been sexually active.
• Choice of self-collected HPV test (self-swab) every 5 years or traditional Pap while the program transitions.
• Self-swabbing for HPV screening is now available province-wide.

• Breast cancer:
• Screening mammogram every 2 years for women and eligible trans/non-binary adults ages 40–74.
• No referral needed; annual screening for high risk (family history, gene mutations, prior thoracic radiation).

• Colorectal cancer (CRC):
• FIT stool test every 2 years for adults ages 50–74.
• Colonoscopy by referral for people at higher risk or with family history.

• Lung cancer:
• Annual or biennial low-dose CT scan for those age 55–74 with a significant smoking history.
• Referral to BC Lung Screening Program by phone or provider.

• Prostate cancer:
• Individualized discussion and screening for men ages 50+ (or earlier, based on Black ancestry or family history).
• PSA blood test +/- digital rectal exam—decisions based on individual risk and informed preference.

• Skin cancer:
• Routine visual skin exam for all adults, ongoing.
• No organized screening program; special attention for fair skin, high freckle/mole count, history of tanning, or family history.

Early screening saves lives—ask about which program fits your risk factors and age.

These guidelines reflect the current best practices for cancer screening across British Columbia.

Absolutely not—cancer is never anyone’s fault. Most risk factors are outside your control: genetics, age, random cell mutations, environmental exposures, infection, hormone shifts, and even unknown variables. While smoking is a known major contributor to several cancers, for most people cancer’s causes are multifactorial and unpredictable—there’s no single behaviour or event to blame.

We’re enthusiastically pro-science and pro-innovation—especially in oncology. Gravity’s approach is collaborative: we support mainstream cancer interventions (chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, and surgery) and focus on making them more tolerable and effective with evidence-based supportive care.

We work alongside oncologists, amplify medical care, and never compete with standard therapies.

Every cancer is different—our recommendations depend on your diagnosis, stage, side effects, and personal goals. While we offer a wide naturopathic toolkit for supportive care, we won’t oversimplify or list specifics here, as each treatment program must be individualized and fully coordinated with your oncology team. 

Gravity supports your treatment decisions and advocates for evidence-based care. We never push alternatives over proven therapies.

Let us help you manage symptoms, improve resilience, and navigate your journey—always in partnership with BC Cancer and your oncologist.