Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control

Why it’s important

In November 2006, the Society welcomed the federal government announcement establishing the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to oversee the implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.

The federal government committed $260 million over 5 years to implement the Strategy in the May 2006 budget.

The Society was a leader in the development of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, and we were leaders in lobbying the federal government to fund and implement this important health initiative for Canada. We’re looking forward to working with the government on the implementation of the Strategy.

The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control is a coordinated, comprehensive approach to managing cancer in Canada. It harnesses the strengths of Canada’s federal system of government and province-based health care. The Strategy will allow each province to independently build its own cancer care management system from a foundation of national data and knowledge that is gathered from across Canada and shared by all. It will enable cancer experts, health professionals and individuals to manage cancer effectively and efficiently across Canada and in local communities.

A fully funded Strategy will prevent new cancer cases, reduce disability, suffering and death from the disease, and minimize the social and economic impacts of cancer.

Why does Canada need a national strategy for cancer control?

A large segment of Canada’s population – the baby boomers – is aging, and cancer occurs more in older people. In addition, the country’s population is growing, and more people mean more cases of cancer. These 2 things combined mean that the number of new cancer cases is increasing.

The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control has the potential to bring about a sustained, coordinated, comprehensive and collaborative approach to meet the challenge of our growing and aging population. Implementing a Strategy will mean, over the next 30 years:

preventing over 1.2 million Canadians from developing cancer
saving the lives of more than 420,000 Canadians
saving more than $39 billion in direct healthcare costs
preventing the loss of more than $101 billion in wage-based productivity.

A fully implemented Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control will result in a cancer control system that truly benefits all Canadians.

What we’re doing

The Canadian Cancer Society is actively involved with many aspects of the work of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Dr. Barbara Whylie, the Society’s CEO, is on the Board of Directors of the Partnership

World Health Organization supports implementation of cancer strategies

WHO passes resolution urging member states to develop and reinforce comprehensive cancer control programs in an effort to reduce worldwide cancer incidence and death.

Last modified on: 13 December 2009