Ministerial message: World Cancer Day, February 4, 2010

February 8, 2010
For Immediate Release

February 4th is World Cancer Day, a global event organized by the International Union Against Cancer to raise awareness on the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer.  World Cancer Day marks efforts being made around the world by governments, cancer organizations, cancer survivors, patients and their families in the fight against cancer.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in Canada – in 2009 alone, an estimated 75,300 Canadians lost their battle with this deadly disease.  Since cancer is associated with aging, the number of cancer cases will likely increase as our population ages, increasing also the cost to Canada’s health care system which currently exceeds $3 billion per year.

Yet, as this year’s World Cancer Day theme of "Cancer can be prevented too" suggests, there are things each of us can do to minimize the risk of getting cancer.  Healthy eating,  physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and minimizing environmental and sun exposures are all good examples of what we can each do.

The Government of Canada is committed to cancer prevention, and to reducing deaths and improving the lives of patients living with cancer. Working together, Canadians can make this happen.  That is why the Government is providing $260 million over five years to implement the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.  The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is leading this initiative by mobilizing governments, cancer experts, charitable organizations, patients and survivors to accelerate action on cancer prevention and control.  All Canadians will benefit from the new knowledge that is being shared and the new tools that are being developed and applied across the country.   

My portfolio is playing an important role in the fight against cancer. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working on a number of fronts, most notably: measuring trends in cancer rates and assessing risk factors so that we have reliable information on which to base policies and programs; working with stakeholders to improve early detection and increase survival; and is supporting the important work of communities to develop tools that raise awareness among Canadians and help individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis.

Health Canada is working to reduce smoking rates as a key to cancer prevention for which Canada is a world leader in this regard. For example, recent amendments to the Tobacco Act will protect young people from marketing practices that encourage them to smoke.  As Well Health Canada jointly with Environment Canada, are also continuing to deliver on its commitment to protect human health and the environment from harmful substances as part of its Chemicals Management Plan.

Research is essential to all aspects of cancer prevention and control, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are funding Canada’s exceptional cancer researchers in their quest for the cure.  Last year alone CIHR invested close to $140 million in cancer research.

Health Canada jointly with Environment Canada, are also continuing to deliver on its commitment to protect human health and the environment from harmful substances as part of the Government of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan.

The true spirit of partnership is responsible for the progress being made and other countries are looking to Canada as a model.  On World Cancer Day, I encourage all Canadians to take action to prevent cancer.

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• For more information on cancer : http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/cancer/index-eng.php and Cancer View Canada : http://www.cancerview.ca
• For more information on healthy living : http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/index-eng.php