Issues watch
This section provides information about emerging cancer issues that matter to Canadians.
Canadian Cancer Society’s statement about drug shortages in Canada
Antineoplastons
Cell phones and cancer study: the Society’s perspective
Canadian Cancer Society’s perspective on DCA
Full body scanners at airport security checkpoints and radiation exposure
H1N1 flu and the H1N1 vaccine: information for cancer patients
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Canadian Cancer Society’s statement about drug shortages in Canada : federal leadership needed to address this crucial healthcare issue
March 2012: The Canadian Cancer Society believes that cancer patients must have access to high-quality, timely care no matter where they live in Canada. We are concerned and disheartened about reported drug shortages in Canada, including cancer drugs. For patients who are already going through a difficult time, not having access to appropriate drugs can be stressful and trying.
While the Society applauds the efforts being made by hospitals, doctors and pharmacists in dealing with this issue, we believe a national coordinated approach is needed to find effective solutions. Other countries have taken a more pro-active approach to drug shortages. The Society urges the Federal Minister of Health to provide leadership to address this critical healthcare issue by:
- ensuring there is mandatory listing of unavailable drugs by drug manufacturers
- developing early warning systems to help identify potential future drug shortages
- assisting hospitals and provinces in dealing with drug shortages
- putting systems in place to prevent shortages from escalating
- working with other jurisdictions to investigate the root causes of drug shortages, and where possible, prevent them from occurring.
We are also recommending that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health investigate the root causes of drug shortages and develop an action plan. The main priority of deliberations must be to investigate and address the causes of drug shortages to prevent future occurrences. As well, the committee should develop recommendations to:
- ensure patients and medical practitioners have advance warning of shortages, are informed of the cause of the shortage and of the expected duration
- prevent shortages from escalating
- ensure patients and practitioners can access safe effective and comparable alternative medication for the duration of the shortage
It’s crucial that all necessary stakeholders, including patients directly affected by drug shortages, provide their perspective and advice to this committee.
Currently, there are two websites where drug manufacturers voluntarily list drugs that are not available However, submissions to these websites are not mandatory,
there is no mechanism for patients or healthcare professionals to report shortages, and the Society has concerns about the information being complete and up to date.
Other countries have taken more substantive action to protect patients, including mandatory reporting and studies to address root causes.
Websites reporting drug shortages:
http://druginfo.usask.ca/healthcare_professional/canadian_drug_shortages.php
http://www.canadapharma.org/shortage/index.asp?l=en
Antineoplastons
Recently, the Canadian Cancer Society has received inquiries about antineoplastons and their potential as a cure for some cancers, as well as questions about the research of Dr Stanislaw Burzynski.
Before making a decision about using a therapy, the Society encourages patients to find out all they can about the treatment and its possible effects and to discuss its use with a doctor or healthcare professional.
Antineoplaston therapy involves using a group of compounds called antineoplastons to control the growth of cancer cells. Antineoplastons are made up mostly of peptides and amino acids taken from human blood and urine. It is claimed that antineoplastons affect certain genes within cancer cells (such as tumour suppressor genes) that affect cancer cell growth.
Supporters of this therapy state that people with cancer do not have enough naturally occurring antineoplastons and that antineoplaston therapy replenishes the body’s supply and can therefore be successful in treating many types of cancer. However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence published to date that antineoplaston therapy is effective in treating cancer or that antineoplastons inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Dr Stanislaw Burzynski developed antineoplaston therapy and believes these compounds provide natural protection against cancer. Since the 1980s, several health organizations, researchers and government health agencies (including the Ontario Health Ministry) have evaluated Dr Burzynski’s research. They all concluded that the research results did not provide enough valid information to determine whether antineoplastons were of any benefit to cancer patients.
According to the American Cancer Society: “Dr Burzynski currently has permission from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct clinical trials of antineoplaston therapy at his clinic. The National Cancer Institute and researchers at several cancer centers are also conducting laboratory experiments on the peptides involved in antineoplaston therapy. While many articles have been published and dozens of clinical trials against many types of cancer have been ongoing at Dr Burzynski’s clinic for several years, there have not been any randomized controlled trials – the type of study that is required for new anti-cancer drugs to be approved by the FDA and recommended by conventional oncologists.”
Although some promising results of the use of antineoplaston therapy have been reported in small studies, most of these have been directed by Dr Burzynski. The results have not been consistently duplicated in other cancer centres.
For more information, please contact our Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 or info@cis.cancer.ca.
Cell phones and cancer study: the Society’s perspective
May 2010: The results of a large international research project called INTERPHONE were released in May. The research was done by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The research looked at whether cell phone usage increases the risk of certain types of cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society perspective
In general, this large study did not find an association between brain tumours and cell phone use. Specifically, it found a reduced risk for most categories of cell phone users, but also found a slightly increased risk of one type of brain tumour – gliomas – for the heaviest cell phone users studied.
The INTERPHONE study is the best of its kind to date; however, more research is needed because there have been changes in both the use and technology of cell phones. For example, many phones now emit lower radiation levels, cell phone use is more prevalent now than when the study was done, and more young people are using mobile phones.
We fully support the plans for more research in this area:
- IARC will be reviewing all published epidemiological and experimental evidence about the link between cell phone use and cancer risk. These results are expected in May 2011.
- Because children were not part of the INTERPHONE study, the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology is coordinating a new project – MobiKids – to investigate the risk of brain tumours from cell phone use in childhood and adolescence.
If you are concerned about potential harm from cell phones you can:
Canadian Cancer Society’s perspective on DCA
(November 2010) Recently published research has shown DCA (dichloroacetate) to be ineffective against some types of cancer and the agent could even have a protective effect on tumours. A team at the University of Guelph discovered DCA is not effective at killing colorectal cancer cells in low levels of oxygen, as is often the case in tumours. In some cases, tumours grew larger in mice treated with DCA than in mice that were not treated.
In early 2007, University of Alberta researchers published results of a study about DCA (dichloroacetate) stating that the agent showed promise in shrinking tumours in laboratory rats and human cell lines (human cells grown in a petri dish).
In early 2010, the researchers published the results of the first clinical trial for DCA, looking at its effects on a specific type of human brain tumour in a very small number of patients. While the results are hopeful, the research is still in its early stages.
The Society has concerns about Canadians with cancer seeking DCA before adequate clinical trials have been conducted. DCA has been shown to have potentially dangerous side effects when used for non cancer-related conditions, and some research suggests it may be potentially harmful for certain types of tumours.
Until these clinical trials are finished, we can’t advise cancer patients in the general population to use the agent.
Key issues that need to be determined through a clinical trial include:
Is it effective in shrinking tumours?
Can DCA be used safely in cancer patients at doses needed for effectiveness.
Are there critical doses or methods of administration to achieve anti-cancer effects.
The Canadian Cancer Society is currently funding hundreds of other encouraging cancer-fighting research projects.
Thanks to the tremendous financial support of Canadians, the Society is able to support and advance preliminary research that gives us hope for the future and motivation to continue with our mission of eradicating cancer.
Full body scanners at airport security checkpoints and radiation exposure
January 2010: Currently, there are news reports about the new “full body scanners” that the Ministry of Transportation will put in place at airports across Canada in an effort to increase security screening on flights to the United States. The concern is the level of radiation passengers will be exposed to going through these scanners.
The Canadian Cancer Society is aware of the issue and believes in Community Right To Know. Canadians have the right to know what they are being exposed to and should be made aware of any potential health risks.
Our understanding is that the full body scanners that will be used in Canadian airports use radiofrequency waves. This is the same type of non-ionizing radiation used by radio, television, radar, cell phone and wireless internet transmissions. There is no known increased risk of cancer associated with a person’s exposure to radiofrequency waves.
If you are concerned about exposure to radiation from these scanners, there are other options available to passengers such as a body “pat down”.
Information from cancer.ca about radiation
More information on “full body scanners” from the Ministry of Transportation
H1N1 flu and the H1N1 vaccine: information for cancer patients
October 2009: Currently there is a lot in the news about the H1N1 flu and the vaccine to prevent it – the H1N1 vaccine. As a cancer patient, you may be wondering what you should do to protect yourself against the H1N1 flu.
Infections of any kind are a special concern for people during cancer treatment. This is because certain treatments, like chemotherapy, can weaken your immune system. This means your body is not at full strength to protect you from illnesses like the H1N1 flu.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says that:
- People with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of catching the H1N1 flu.
- If you require ongoing medical care for your condition – such as chemotherapy or dialysis – talk to your healthcare provider about having these treatments if you have the flu or develop flu symptoms.
- If you are on medication for your medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider about having a two-week supply of medication on hand in case you get sick and cannot leave your home. If you have the flu you should stay home until you’re symptom-free.
If you are a cancer patient concerned about the H1N1 flu, talk to your doctor about the H1N1 vaccine to decide what’s best for you.
For more information visit www.fightflu.ca
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
(February 2009) New evidence has focused on the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) during menopause. Read more about the Society’s position on HRT use.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
(October 2008) A draft report proposing ways to manage the risk of Bisphenol A, with a specific focus on infants under 18 months, was released by the federal government in April 2008.
As a follow-up, on October 18 the federal government announced its intention to name BPA as a toxic substance. They have recommended a ban on baby bottles containing this chemical and are seeking a voluntary reduction in BPA in formula can linings. The federal government is concerned infants can be exposed to BPA leaching from polycarbonate baby bottles and from canned infant formula.
This is the next step for putting laws in place to help reduce Canadians’ exposure to BPA.
The Canadian Cancer Society believes this age group is a logical starting point because of the potential health risks associated with exposure to BPA. However, we encourage the government to expand its focus to include children, adolescents and adults as new information about exposure and safer alternatives to BPA become available.
This action on the part of the government is part of a broader federal government project looking at substances of concern – substances that could be potentially harmful to people’s health.
Until more information is available, if you are concerned about exposure to Bisphenol A, you may wish to consider:
- Choosing glass food and drink containers, or ones that are not made of polycarbonate plastic (recycle code 7) Choosing fresh or frozen foods over canned.
- If you or your child are having dental work, talk to your dentist about the materials being used and the options available.
For babies and children:
- Use baby bottles and sippy cups that are not made of polycarbonate plastic. You may wish to choose glass or products made of polypropylene plastic instead (recycle code 5)
- Avoid toys made with polycarbonate plastic.
Bisphenol A is an important health issue that the Society has been closely monitoring. We have posted information on our website and we continually review research about whether exposure to this chemical can affect the risk of developing cancer.
Last modified on:
09 March 2012
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