Cancer Community Lauds Workable Structure for Cancer Control Strategy

Federal government advances commitment to Cancer Control Strategy

November 24, 2006 (Montreal, QC) – Today, more than 55 leading Canadian cancer organization members of  the Campaign to Control Cancer celebrate Minister Clement’s announcement of the new chair and co-chair of the governing council for the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC).

Jeff Lozon, President and CEO of St. Michael’s Hospital was named Chair and Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, President of the BC Cancer Agency was named Co-Chair.

This step forward demonstrates the government’s commitment to bring about a long-term, sustained, coordinated, comprehensive and collaborative approach to cancer care in Canada.

The Campaign to Control Cancer welcomes these leaders in their new roles and congratulates the Harper government for taking an actionable leadership role in the urgent fight against cancer.  This marks just the beginning; the next step must be taken by the provinces and territories, to apply what we know in a way that aligns federal, provincial and territorial strategies.

“Political leadership was missing in action on the war on cancer. Now we’ve got both funding and leadership, it’s time to close the gap between what we know and what we do for every Canadian family,” said Pat Kelly, cancer survivor and advocate for the Campaign to Control Cancer. “A plan has been in place for some time; now we have the right people in place to see the CSCC advance in a meaningful way that will benefit more Canadians than we will ever know.”

“Cancer affects all Canadians, and this commitment from the government puts political will behind funding, which will lead to the successful implementation of a consistent cancer control strategy in Canada,” said Dr. Islam G. Mohamed, a Kelowna BC radiation oncologist. “This is a leap toward a true realization of the CSCC.  Rational deployment of our efforts across Canada will prioritize cancer prevention, early detection, elimination of wait times, research, universal access to the best treatment and supportive care for patients and their families.”

 By applying current knowledge, the rate of cancer deaths could be cut by half over the next generation:

Over the next 30 years, 5.7 million will get cancer and another 2.7 million will die from it. But it doesn’t have to be this way.  By applying what we know, we could save more than one million Canadians from getting cancer, and another half a million from dying from it

Breast cancer: This year, 22,200 people will be diagnosed and 5,300 will die from it. But screening, mammography, clinical exams could reduce deaths by 40%

Colorectal cancer: This year, 20,000 people will be diagnosed and 8,500 will die from it. But fecal blood tests every two years could reduce deaths by 33%

Cervical Cancer: This year, 1,350 will be diagnosed and 390 will die from it. But up to 90% of deaths are preventable with early screening/treatment

Up to half of all cancers are preventable by removing the risk factors (i.e. quit smoking, staying more physically active, eating healthier foods, reducing sun exposure, hazardous exposure to cancer-causing agents, etc.)

 About The Campaign to Control Cancer

 The Campaign to Control Cancer is a national coalition of more than 55 leading cancer organizations. We are cancer nurses, doctors, patients, families, advocates, researchers, supporters and survivors. Our mission is our name: to put everything we know to work preventing, detecting, treating—and controlling—cancer. Our future is you.

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