National Cancer Survivors Day celebrates survivorship. It is also a reminder of the physical and emotional challenges cancer survivors and their loved ones face as they learn to cope with the process of living with, through, and beyond cancer.
In Canada, over 40% of all Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, and 63% are expected to survive at least five years after diagnosis. Survival rates continue to improve thanks to advances in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and follow-up care. That means over 500,000 Canadians alive today have survived cancer. While we celebrate this progress, we need to remember that cancer survivors require ongoing support, especially when they face stressful changes to their health, relationships, career, or lifestyle.
For example, people living with a cancer diagnosis may experience depression or other mental health challenges. By learning the signs and symptoms of mental and emotional distress, families, friends, caregivers and providers can support individuals during a diagnosis, while they receive treatment, or as they return to normal daily life.
Clearly, the emotional burden of cancer on Canadian families should not and cannot be addressed alone. That’s why the Government of Canada is committed to working collaboratively with all sectors to help increase public awareness about cancer prevention and control. In addition, we support the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care which provides guidance to healthcare practitioners.
Social support plays a critical role in the long-term emotional adjustment of cancer survivors. By increasing our collective awareness regarding the mental health challenges cancer survivors face, we can all do our part to create caring communities and workplaces – places where survivors are better able to cope with their cancer experience.
As Minister of Health, I would like to mark this day by wishing cancer survivors continued good health and strength. Canadians are encouraged to protect their health by leading a healthy lifestyle so they can enjoy the benefits of good health and reduce the risk of developing diseases like cancer. They can also learn more about the signs and symptoms of mental distress in case someone they know needs help.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
