Cancer Advocates Converge on Provincial Legislatures to Urge Further Efforts
for Cancer Control

Cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals to seek support for National Catastrophic Drug Program

TORONTO, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Cancer control advocates from across the country will be converging at provincial legislatures today to recognize government efforts in controlling cancer, and to seek additional support to push for a national catastrophic drug program.  This effort is part of the second National Cancer Day of Action, organized by the Campaign to Control Cancer (C2CC), with the goal to educate, energize and unify Canadians at all levels to give voice to those concerned about cancer issues.

"We are here today to meet with representatives from all parties to encourage them to continue to take steps to control cancer," says Pat Kelly, CEO, Campaign to Control Cancer. "We've made significant strides across Canada through support for many issues related to cancer, and our government should be commended for this.  Today we hope to garner a further commitment from the provincial government to support a national catastrophic drug program that will ensure that any Canadian - no matter where they live - will have access to treatments they require."

But while recognizing the provinces for the gains they have made, the campaign seeks to communicate that there is still more to do.  Currently, Canada ranks 13th out of 14 western countries when it comes to access to new cancer treatments, and it is estimated that three million Canadians will face an inability to pay for drug coverage.

"It's encouraging to know that more and more effective, targeted treatments are becoming available in Canada, but unfortunately most come at prices that are beyond the reach of individual Canadians," says Ms. Kelly.

To garner support for a national catastrophic drug program, advocates will converge on provincial legislatures in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta, as well as at government offices in British Columbia, to seek the advice and support of provincial officials for an all-party motion to demand that the federal government make good on its leadership commitment to equitable access to catastrophic drug coverage for all Canadians.

Canadians Still Need Education, Support to Control Cancer

As part of the National Cancer Day of Action, the Campaign to Control Cancer is releasing the results of their 2010 Community Conversations survey. Conducted over the past year, the Community Conversations sought to reveal Canadians' knowledge and awareness, as well as their fears and their hopes, as they relate to cancer.  The Conversations found that Canadians want more awareness about cancer prevention, and share a desire to see involvement from all levels of the community to reduce the burden of cancer in our country.

Further, the Community Conversations found that:

• less than half of Canadians (46%) know that 40% of cancers were preventable;
• 89% of participants of Community Conversations believed that "schools should educate young people about healthy behaviours." ;
• Participants in online and street surveys listed education, changing behaviors, and advocacy for government support as the most important drivers of prevention; and
• 100% of Community Conversations that discussed the topic believed that "more should be done to encourage Canadians to be screened." 

More than 1,300 Canadians took part in the pan-Canadian Community Conversations survey.

"An important part of our message today is that cancer control isn't just about government actions, it's about all members of the community becoming involved to make changes and reduce the burden of this devastating disease," says Ms. Kelly. "All Canadians play a role in taking control of cancer. Collective change begins with individual actions, and on this day, Canadians are encouraged to pledge action to contribute to this national movement in their own way."

There are many actions that Canadians can take to contribute to controlling cancer, including participation in screening and early detection programs; getting regular exercise; quitting smoking; reducing alcohol consumption; practicing sun safety; increasing their intake of fruits and vegetables, or writing to their local government representative to advocate for more access to cancer treatments.

More information about the National Cancer Day of Action is available at www.controlcancer.ca, and Canadians can find out how to get involved in advocating for a national catastrophic drug program by visiting www.fairtreatment.ca.

ABOUT CANCER IN CANADA

Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Canada.  It's estimated that 40 per cent of Canadian women and 45 per cent of men will develop cancer during their lifetime, and that one out of every four Canadians are expected to die from cancer.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society:

• an estimated 173,800 new cases of cancer and 76,200 cancer deaths will occur in Canada in 2010;

• approximately 83,900 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 36,200 women will die of cancer;
  
  
• approximately 90,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 40,000 men will die of cancer;
  
  
• on average, 3,340 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer every week; and
  
  
• on average, 1,470 Canadians will die of cancer every week.

ABOUT CAMPAIGN TO CONTROL CANCER (C2CC)

The C2CC is a nationwide coalition of more than 70 organizations uniting health care professionals, survivors, patients, corporations, researchers, advocates, and concerned Canadians to champion a new response to cancer control. Their collective action spurred the Government of Canada to a $260 million commitment to fund and implement the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, a national plan to manage cancer. 

For a complete list of those involved in this campaign, please visit our website at www.controlcancer.ca.

For further information:

Marissa Smith
Edelman
[phone]