Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control: Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with or die of cancer. It affects not only those with cancer, but their families, their friends and colleagues and the organizations that assist them. The impact of preventable disease affects us all, in terms of our economy, our communities and in increased health care costs.

The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control was jointly developed by the federal government in collaboration with the provinces, territories and non-governmental cancer organizations. An action plan on the strategy was released in 2002. Since that time, the Public Health Agency of Canada and its partners have proceeded with implementation - deploying currently available resources and partner contributions while seeking to encourage further investment from all stakeholders. As planned by the partners, the developmental stage of the strategy is coming to a close and all parties are now examining funding and implementation options.

While the government considers the best approaches to proceed with the strategy, the battle to prevent and treat cancer continues.

Cancer is clearly a priority for government - evidenced by the commitment at the recent First Ministers’ meeting to reduce cancer waiting times, and the commitment and planning support given to building the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.

Canada is continuing its globally-recognized anti-smoking campaign. Between the launch of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy in 2001 and the end of 2003-04, Health Canada has spent $204 million on its tobacco control efforts. This includes $81.6 million on mass media activities aimed at raising the awareness of decision-makers and the Canadian public of the dangers of second-hand smoke, helping smokers to quit, and warning youth of the dangers of tobacco. Partly through these efforts, smoking rates among Canadian youth aged 15-19 have fallen from 28 per cent in 1999 to 18 per cent in 2003. Many municipalities and provinces have instituted smoking bans, with more on the horizon.

Since it’s inception in 2001, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) contributions in excess of $300 million have been enabling cancer research. In the 2003/2004 alone, the Government of Canada, through CIHR, invested more that $93 million in cancer research. CIHR’s Institutes of Cancer Research has played a leadership role in developing the research component of the CSCC, known as the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA). This group brings together all the major organizations and agencies that fund cancer research in Canada to coordinate a united research response for cancer control.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is a focal point within the federal government for chronic disease prevention and control. Cancer will be one of the major chronic diseases addressed in the Pan-Canadian Public Health Strategy to be developed by the Agency in consultation with many partners.

The Agency is moving forward on the healthy living initiative,
which focuses on helping Canadians improve nutrition and physical activity, the underlying factors for many different diseases.

One of the most astonishing facts about premature death is that close to 70 per cent can be prevented. We all have some responsibility and the ability to assist in reducing cancer rates in Canada.

As one of the leading causes of death and serious illness, the control and prevention of cancer must remain a priority for all levels of government, as well as dedicated organizations and individuals. Together we can foster a healthier future.