News Release
1997-27
April 18, 1997
Health Minister announces funding for Cervical Cancer initiatives
OTTAWA - Health Minister David Dingwall today announced the federal government's financial support for a collaborative project with the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN) and the Nova Scotia Gynaecological Cancer Screening Programme (NSGCSP). The project is intended to encourage preventive care among high-risk women across the country.
The announcement was made at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and coincides with Cancer Month. Dr. Gavin Stuart, Coordinator of CCPN, and Dr. Doug Henshaw, Chairman of the Board of NSGCSP, also addressed participants at the event.
"We anticipate that this collaborative project will strengthen the capacity of an organized screening program to reduce disparities in health and well-being among women," said Minister Dingwall. He added, "I am confident that the work of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network, and the Nova Scotia Gynaecological Cancer Screening Programme, will greatly complement provincial and territorial efforts to develop comprehensive and effective screening programs."
"Recruitment of women at high risk of not being screened is one of the major priorities of the CCPN," said Dr. Gavin Stuart. The CCPN is made up of representatives from professional and non-governmental organizations, provincial cancer treatment and research foundations, provincial screening programs, and provincial ministries of health.
"This pilot project provides an opportunity for the Nova Scotia Gynaecological Cancer Screening Programme to expand its reach and to further its collaboration with the CCPN in its important work," stated Doug Henshaw.
Health Canada is committing $320,000 over three years to CCPN and an additional $350,000 to the pilot project over three years. The collaborative project includes support for the development of tools and state-of-the-art models to encourage high-risk women to be screened for cervical cancer as well as a pilot project to test the tools in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It is also a visible application of the Department's move to a population health approach. The pilot project will be coordinated through the Nova Scotia Gynaecological Cancer Screening Programme.
Cervical cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide. It is also the only cancer preventable by screening, yet 35 per cent of Canadian women aged 18-24 and 29 per cent of Canadian women over 65 have reported that they have never been screened for cervical cancer. Each year, over 200,000 pre-cancerous cervical abnormalities are reported in Canada. The establishment of organized programs for cervical screening is supported by all the provinces, territories and relevant professional organizations. While Nova Scotia and British Columbia currently are the only provinces which have such a program in place, the other regions are at different stages of planning or development.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1997 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This announcement is an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
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Media Inquiries:
Bonnie Fox-McIntrye/Monique Renaud-Gagné
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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