Health and Community Services
November 2, 2010
Provincial Cancer
Control Strategy Released
Following a significant investment of
over $125 million in cancer prevention and treatment over the last seven
years, the Williams Government today released a provincial cancer
control strategy entitled Gaining Ground: A Provincial Cancer Control
Policy Framework for Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Jerome
Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by Dr.
Oscar Howell, Vice-President Medical Services and Diagnostics, Eastern
Health; and, Dr. Pradip Ganguly, Divisional Chief of Radiation Oncology,
Eastern Health, for the official release of the strategy. Minister
Kennedy also announced today approximately $1.5 million in this fiscal
year to support several new cancer control initiatives.
"Improving access to cancer care has
always been an important priority for our government, which is evident
by the significant investments we have made in cancer prevention and
treatment over the last number of years," said Minister Kennedy. "This
cancer control strategy has been developed in collaboration with our
many partners and stakeholders and focuses on a full range of activities
to prevent cancer, detect cancer at an early stage, improve treatment
and support the needs of individuals affected by cancer."
The goal of the strategy is to reduce the
incidence and impact of cancer and to improve the quality of life of
those living with cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador. To help achieve
this, the Framework identifies nine key policy directions that reflect
current best practices and lessons learned from all aspects of cancer
control and will be used to guide the Provincial Government's future
cancer control efforts. These directions include:
- Cancer prevention through promoting
a healthy population;
- Identifying individuals at risk;
- Coordinating care;
- Supportive and palliative care;
- Clinical practice guidelines;
- Access and advocacy;
- Surveillance and information systems
and technology;
- Education and training; and,
- Accountability and measuring
success.
"As stewards of the Provincial Cancer
Care Program, we welcome a solid framework from which we can develop
action plans to support the fight against cancer," said Dr. Howell. "The
Provincial Government's significant investments in screening programs,
state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and cancer treatments have helped
us strengthen our cancer care program. The provincial strategy will help
us move from treating cancer to detecting it earlier and even preventing
it."
Minister Kennedy also announced today the
establishment of a new Provincial Cancer Control Advisory Committee, and
the appointment of Dr. Pradip Ganguly as chair of that committee. Dr.
Ganguly will provide advice to the minister on the composition of the
committee, and will give recommendations on other related matters.
"I am delighted to serve the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador in this capacity and work with the committee
in the weeks and months ahead," said Dr. Ganguly. "We are all
stakeholders in cancer care and only by working together will we move
forward in the control of this disease. This is a day we can all be
proud of."
Approximately $1.5 million in funding was
announced for several cancer control initiatives this fiscal year. More
funding will be made available to support priorities following the
implementation of the Provincial Cancer Control Advisory Committee. The
funding announced today will support the following new initiatives:
Promotion of Cancer Prevention Through
a Healthy Population
- $300,000 for a new grant program for
community organizations and health care professionals to support
cancer prevention and awareness projects; and,
- $50,000 for the Alliance for the
Control of Tobacco (ACT) to develop a social media campaign directed
at youth and young adults.
Enhancements in Early Detection and
Screening
- $400,000 to examine ways of
improving existing screening programs and promoting increased
participation in these programs. This includes a review of screening
practices to ensure alignment with best practices to identify needs
for program enhancement; and,
- $190,000 for an analysis of the
waitlist and workflow for existing endoscopy services, which began
in May of this year.
Supporting Individuals with Cancer
- $428,000 for the Regional Health
Authorities to enhance and expand existing palliative care and
end-of-life services, which will result in a total annualized
investment of approximately $1.3 million;
- $100,000 for the Canadian Cancer
Society, Newfoundland and Labrador Division, to improve access to
and the understanding of cancer-related information for residents
through educational programs delivered by trained volunteers
throughout the province; and,
- $70,000 for Young Adult Cancer
Canada to support the continued growth of its organization and to
create awareness of and understanding among allied health
professionals of the unique issues facing young adults with cancer
in the province.
As announced during the update on the
progress in implementing the recommendations of the report of the
Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing in March of this year,
the patient navigation service will be implemented in December with a
focus on cancer care as recommended in the Cameron Report. Patient
navigators will assist patients and their families in dealing or
communicating with hospital staff.
"We know that one third of cancer can be
prevented and that early detection and effective treatment of another
third is also possible," said Minister Kennedy. "Our investments today,
combined with our continued commitment to enhancing cancer care, will
support increased screening to support early detection. It is our hope
that through continued efforts, more cancer can be prevented, and that
through continued treatment advances, we are able to cure more of those
who are diagnosed with cancer."
To obtain a copy of Gaining Ground: A
Provincial Cancer Control Policy Framework for Newfoundland and Labrador,
visit www.gov.nl.ca/health.
In addition to the funding announced
today, Budget 2010: The Right Investments For Our Children and Our
Future includes approximately $18 million to enhance cancer
treatment and prevention throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This
includes almost $8.6 million for the purchase of equipment used in the
diagnosis and treatment of cancer; $5 million to continue implementing
the recommendations of the Cameron Report; $3.2 million to cover the
cost of 10 new drug therapies under the Newfoundland and Labrador
Prescription Drug Program, including cancer drugs; $800,000 to continue
funding the HPV immunization program for adolescent females; $317,000
for operational funding for a radiopharmacist and a program director to
begin planning for the new Positron Emissions Tomography (PET) scanner
at Eastern Health, and funding to announce an accredited stem cell
transplant program; and, $240,000 for the initial implementation of a
new Provincial Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.
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Media contacts:
2010 11 02
12:45 p.m.
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