|
Media backgrounder: The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control 03
February
2007
TORONTO -
In November 2006, the Canadian Cancer Society welcomed the federal government announcement establishing the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to oversee the implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. The Canadian Cancer Society was a pivotal member of the cancer community that came together to develop the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, and it was a leader in advocating for its funding and implementation. The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control will encourage, support and facilitate collaboration and coordination of cancer care in. It will improve investment in cancer research, prevention initiatives, access to cancer information and knowledge, treatment and palliative care. It will enable cancer experts, health professionals and individuals to manage cancer effectively and efficiently in local communities across Canada. Implementing a Strategy will mean, over 30 years: - preventing over 1.2 million Canadians from developing cancer;
- saving the lives of over 423,000 Canadians;
- preventing over 7.3 million potential years of Canadian life being lost;
- saving over $39 billion in direct health care costs;
- preventing the loss of over $34 billion in total government tax revenues
- preventing the loss of over $101 billion in wage-based productivity.
A national cancer fighting strategy is needed because cancer presents a serious challenge to Canada. In 2006, it was estimated that more than 153,000 Canadians would be diagnosed with cancer and over 70,000 would die of the disease. It is expected that these numbers will increase due to the growing number of new cancer cases as a result of our country’s aging and growing population. In response to the cancer challenge facing Canada, over the past seven years, the cancer community (including the Canadian Cancer Society, over 700 cancer experts and survivors, and with the full participation of federal, provincial, and territorial governments) developed a “made-for-Canada” plan that respects provincial jurisdictions in health care. The “plan” was called the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC). The Strategy builds on the existing strength of provincial and federal government programs, and also on the excellence of global medical research. The Benefits The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control will encourage, support and facilitate collaboration and integration among cancer experts and leaders in Canada to achieve significant results. For individual Canadians this means: - Fewer Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer: Up-to-date cancer prevention programs will be expanded
- More cancers will be detected early: Screening programs will be expanded and accessible
- More cancer patients will survive longer: Timely, state-of-the-art treatment will be available no matter where a patient lives in the country
- Improved care when cancer cannot be cured: Better access to supportive and palliative care will be available and close to family and friends.
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333. -30- For more information, please contact: Alexa Giorgi Bilingual Communications Specialist Canadian Cancer Society, National office Phone:
(416) 934-5338
|