Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

Cancer

Two in five Canadians face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. It is the leading cause of premature death in Canada. In 2007 alone, an estimated 159,000 new cases of cancer and 72,700 deaths from cancer will occur in Canada. The burden of cancer in Canada is enormous, affecting the economic and social well-being of individual Canadians, their families and the country.

Budget 2006 committed $260 million over five years for screening, prevention and research activities, and to enhance coordination among the federal government, cancer advocacy groups, and the provinces and territories. The goals of the Strategy are clear: to reduce the number of new cases of cancer among Canadians; to enhance the quality of life of those living with cancer; and to lessen the likelihood of Canadians dying from cancer.

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

On November 24, 2006, the Prime Minister of Canada and the Minister of Health announced the creation of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (the Partnership), a new, independent not-for-profit corporation to implement the eight strategic priorities of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC). They are primary prevention, screening/early detection, standards, clinical practice guidelines, rebalancing the focus (patient-centred care), health human resources, research and surveillance.

Role of Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

The Partnership will serve as a focal point for information and catalyst for change as well as a ”single window” resource from which all governments and Canadians will benefit. It will ensure that the most reliable and current cancer knowledge reaches all parts of the country regardless of provincial or territorial boundaries. It will provide this information to governments, cancer professionals and support groups, patients, their families and individuals. This includes knowledge about preventing, screening, diagnosing and treating cancers, as well as data and research.

In implementing the CSCC, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer will help support a pan-Canadian approach to cancer control, and will therefore need to collaborate closely with all relevant partners to facilitate better coordination of activities and efforts across the country.

For more information on CPACC please visit:

• Canadian Partnership Against Cancer website

• International Cancer Control Congress