Speaking Notes for the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health - Cancer funding announcement

Monday, November 26, 2012

Check Against Delivery

Good morning.

I would like to begin by thanking the Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada for hosting us today.

I also want to thank Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, for joining us. As well as representatives from McMaster University, the Canadian Association for Community Living, the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario and the Hospital Maisonneuve Rosemont in Montréal who are also with us today.

As you know, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

This year alone, more than 186,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer. And each year, over 75,000 lives are lost to cancer.  It's important to remember that there are real people behind these numbers - patients, families, friends, loved ones, neighbours and colleagues. Cancer is a disease that touches all of us. 

We must work in partnership to reduce the impact of cancer on Canadians. And Canada is implementing a model of partnership that is working.

In 2006, our Government funded an independent organization called the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

The Partnership works with cancer experts, charitable organizations, governments, national health organizations, patients and survivors to implement Canada's Cancer Control Strategy. 

Each year the Partnership receives $50 million in federal funding to work with the cancer and health communities to coordinate cancer control work taking place across the country. The Partnership was deemed so successful that our Government announced last year that it would renew funding for an additional five years until 2017.

Canadians are already seeing benefits of this work in the form of innovative programs that help prevent cancer and detect the disease early on, when it can be treated more effectively.

Approximately one in two Canadians will develop cancer in his or her lifetime and one in four will die of the disease. That's why it is so important that all Canadians understand how cancer screening and early diagnosis can help save lives.

Simply put: early diagnosis of cancer can result in more effective treatments. It also increases the chances of surviving the disease.

I am pleased to announce today, that our Government is supporting this work by investing over $5.6 million additional dollars in nine new cancer related projects that specifically address screening and early diagnosis.

These projects will focus on removing barriers, raising awareness and promoting participation in cancer screening and early detection among First Nations, Inuit Métis and immigrant populations.

Prevention is also a critical element in cancer control. One-third of all cases of cancer may be prevented by improving diets, increasing physical activity and maintaining healthy weights. 

The Government of Canada is doing its part but I encourage all Canadians to do theirs by adopting healthier lifestyles and embracing cancer screening and early detection efforts offered in your communities. 

Before closing, I would like to remind everyone that November is a month where individuals and organizations across the country raise awareness about various forms of cancer. Prostate, lung and pancreatic cancers are the focus this month. I encourage Canadians to learn more about these and other types of cancer and to share what they discover with their families and friends. 

Thank you.