Cancer reduction strategy to focus on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer

P.E.I.'s new 2016-19 cancer strategy will focus on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer, Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson said Friday.

"Cancer has a huge impact on Islanders and government is firmly committed to improving cancer prevention and care," he said in a written release.

"The new strategy is a collaborative effort by our dedicated health care providers and community partners and I am confident that their strategic and focused approach will improve cancer outcomes in our province."

Lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer are the most common cancers in Prince Edward Island, according to the province.

The strategy identifies several priority areas, including initiatives to examine the four leading types of cancer, to improve surveillance and understanding of cancer trends, and to support a patient-centred approach to the planning and delivery of cancer care. It will also focus on early detection and encourage Islanders to get screened.

"We know that cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Prince Edward Island and across Canada," said radiation oncologist Dr. Larry Pan, chair of the strategy steering committee.

"Our priority is to reduce the burden of cancer by advancing best-practice care across the cancer control continuum from prevention and health promotion through to post-treatment support, including survivorship and end-of-life care."

Legislation is being updated to ban flavoured tobacco products and control the use of electronic smoking devices, the release said.

Health PEI has allocated $1.2 million over three years to implement the strategy.

Lori Barker, the executive director of the P.E.I. division of the Canadian Cancer Society, said the investment in a cancer epidemiologist is one of the most important parts of the new cancer strategy.

"One of the biggest concerns we've had at the Cancer Society is the lack of a cancer epidemiologist, so the ability to really look at the data here on P.E.I. and understand why we see some of the different rates [is important]," she said. "That increase in monitoring and surveillance will be significant."

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