B.C. patients can now take a more proactive approach to their health with a new service in which they can get their blood and other lab test results e-mailed to them for free.

"This is the way the world is going. Lab results belong to the patient. They are of direct value to the patient," said Doug Buchanan, managing director of B.C. Biomedical Laboratories which, in a joint venture, has partnered with its competitor, LifeLabs, to offer the service.

Anyone going to any one of nearly 100 labs for tests, mainly on blood and other bodily fluids, can register for the service.