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.