The 6th National Conference to Defeat Cancer launches an appeal for lucidity in dealing with real health issues

MONTREAL, April 3, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The 6^th National Conference to Defeat Cancer, which begins today in Montreal, is marked by the release of a study earlier this week, revealing the true magnitude of cancer's economic costs in Quebec, which exceeded $4.2 billion in 2013.

Under the theme "Cancer: a chronic disease like any other?", some 350 participants, hailing from all corners of the province, will share their views with high-profile speakers regarding a variety of aspects related to life and cancer survival. Thanks to the advancement of research, the development of treatments and drugs that are more effective and increasingly focused, as well as the introduction of new professional methods, cancer survival rates continue to improve. As a result, patients are living longer and enjoying a much better quality of life. Actually, cancer is now considered to be a chronic disease. But what are its current and future impacts?

"With all these key players in the battle against cancer, i.e. patients, survivors and healthcare professionals deeply committed through their personal struggles and experiences, we will attempt to assess the state of the battle against cancer, and also devise solutions designed to improve what is being done in Quebec," says Nathalie Rodrigue, T.M., president of Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec. The patron of the 6^th National Conference, author-composer and performer Édith Butler, will share her own experience, an anthem of hope.

Election campaign to make a pit stop at the 6^th National Conference

On Thursday April 3, responding to an invitation by the Coalition, representatives of the four major political parties will meet with individuals affected by cancer and explain their party's position regarding the health issues and the three questions submitted to them by the Coalition last week. The schedule is as follows:

• Dr. Amir Khadir, MLA, Mercier, Québec solidaire (9:30 a.m.)
• Dr. Gaétan Barrette, candidate, La Pinière, Quebec Liberal Party (11:00 a.m.)
• Mrs. Gyslaine Desrosiers, candidate, Blainville, Parti Québécois (2:15 p.m.)
• Mr. Robert Milot, candidate, Bertrand, Coalition Avenir Québec (3:00 p.m.)

Other highlights

Thursday, April 3
9:05 a.m.	Opening conference: Cancer: a chronic disease like any other? Jacques Ricard, MD, M.Sc., Acting Assistant Director General, Director of general Services and Chronic Diseases, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal
9:20 a.m.	Research development: giving life a chance, Martin Leblanc, President, CEO, Caprion Protéomique
	Center of Excellence in Precision Therapeutics: more rapid access to more treatment options, Thérèse Gagnon-Kugler, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, PreThera Research, Executive Director, Québec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer (Q-CROC)
1:30 p.m.	Pat Burns Award – 3^rd edition
	Delivery of awards honouring outstanding informal caregivers, Jason Burns, chairman, Pat Burns Foundation − official spokesman, Pat Burns Award, Ale Dee, author-composer-performer – spokesman, jury and finalists committee.
2:15 p.m.	Conference – 2013-2015 Cancer Action Plan, Jean Latreille, MDCP, FRCPC, Director, Direction québécoise de la cancérologie, ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Friday, April 4
7:00 a.m.	Celebrity Breakfast offering participants an opportunity to meet personalities involved in the battle against cancer, and discuss the issues and personal experiences. In attendance: Édith Butler, Lise Aubut, Winston McQuade, Guy Corneau, Richard Petit, Lolitta Dandoy, Jason Burns, Ale Dee and several more…
8:45 a.m.	The economic costs of cancer in Quebec in 2013 − Pierre Boucher, Economist and CEO, Observatoire des services professionnels
11:40 a.m.	A meeting between… Communicator, Artist, Spokesperson, PROCURE: The force against Prostate Cancer and Patron of the Patients and Survivors Committee,  Winston McQuade engages in a dialogue with Guy Corneau, author and international speaker, host and lymphoma survivor.

The program, list of speakers and general information about the event are available on the following Website  www.conferencecancer.com

About the Coalition

Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec was founded in 2001 to protect, support and give a strong voice to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, informal caregivers, their families and their loved ones, as well as cancer-related community organizations and health professionals) and to help organize the fight against cancer. Because of the contribution of these organizations and members, the Coalition's membership represents close to 1.5 million people.

Alliance of the Cultural Communities for Equality in Health and Social Services (ACCESSS), Association des radio-oncologues du Québec (AROQ), Association du cancer de l'Est du Québec (ACEQ), Association des laryngectomisés de Montréal Inc, Care-Ring-Voice Network, Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN), Cancer testiculaire Canada, Can Support Cedars, Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC), Association québécoise des registraires en oncologie (AQRO), Association des retraitées et retraités de l'éducation et des autres services publics du Québec (AREQ), Centre d'action bénévole de Bellechasse - Lévis - Lotbinière (Espoir Cancer), Chaire Environnement-Cancer Guzzo de l'Université de Montréal, Chaire de recherche et de traitement du cancer de l'UQAM, Conseil pour la protection des malades (CPM), Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer (Q-CROC), Fédération des comités des usagers et de résidents du Québec (FCURQ), Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Fédération de la physiothérapie en pratique privée du Québec, Fondation Rêvez la vie, Foundation of Stars, Hope & Cope / L'espoir, c'est la vie, HPV Awareness Corporation, Institut de l'anémie - Recherche et éducation (IARE), La Maison Aube-Lumière, Le Regroupement québécois des maladies orphelines; Lymphoma Canada, Lymphedema Association of Quebec, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Mains de l'espoir de Charlevoix, Myeloma Canada, Nova Montréal, Maison Sercan, Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec (OTIMROEPMQ), Ordre professionnel des technologistes médicaux du Québec (OPTMQ), Organisation québécoise pour les personnes atteintes de cancer (OQPAC), Organisme gaspésien pour les personnes atteintes de cancer (OGPAC), Ovaire espoir, Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC), Palliative Home-care Society of Greater Montreal, ProCure-The Force Against Prostate Cancer, Professionnals Networking for Caregivers, Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer, Quebec Lung Association (QLA), Regroupement provincial des comités des usagers (RPCU), Regroupement des Aidants Naturels du Comté de l'Assomption (RANCA), Réseau des femmes en environnement, Réseau FADOQ, Save Your Skin Foundation, The Alliance of the Cultural Communities for Equality in Health and Social Services (ACCÉSSS), The Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Society of Canada; The Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada; Thyroid Cancer Canada

SOURCE: Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec

Sylvie Piché, 514 868-2009 ext 225, Cell : 514-296-0694, [email protected], Site internet : www.unevoixforte.com, Facebook : CoalitionPrioriteCancerAuQuebec, Twitter : @CoalitionCancer; Michel Racette, Cell : 514 576-9327