Ministerial Message – World Cancer Day - February 4, 2018
Statements
You, a member of your family or a relative probably know someone who has or had cancer. Indeed, close to 1 in 2 Canadians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime; nearly half of these will be lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. And, unfortunately, cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada. This year's World Cancer Day theme, "We can. I can." inspires us to take action to reduce cancer in Canada and around the world.
We can all reduce our risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases by being physically active, reducing smoking and alcohol consumption and eating healthy. Helping Canadians to eat healthier is one of our top priorities and an important approach to chronic disease prevention.
We are also taking action to further reduce smoking rates and protect youth from nicotine addiction and inducements to tobacco use. Some of these initiatives include, implementing plain and standardized packaging for tobacco products, limiting access to vaping products to those over 18 years of age and restricting the marketing of flavours in vaping products that appeal to youth.
Our Government continues to support increasing food skills and encouraging healthy living habits among Canadians, including promoting physical activity. For example, the Public Health Agency of Canada has invested $73 million and leveraged more than $57 million in non-governmental funding through innovative partnerships like Kid Food Nation, Farm to School, APPLE Schools, Don't Change Much and Run to Quit. These projects empower Canadians to eat healthy, increase physical activity and stop smoking to help prevent chronic diseases, including cancer.
Recently, the Government of Canada and partners announced $255 million in genomics research bringing in new hope for Canadians living with cancer, cystic fibrosis, juvenile arthritis, childhood asthma and other diseases. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) partnered with Genome Canada to fund the new genomics-based precision health projects that will improve patient outcomes. In 2015-16 alone, CIHR invested $156 million towards cancer related research.
In addition to prevention efforts and reducing the risk of developing cancer, we must also support the people that are currently battling the disease and recognize their challenges and needs. Through investments in the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, our Government is funding prevention, early detection, treatment and support for people living with cancer. A recent report released by the Partnership, Living with Cancer: A Report on the Patient Experience plays an important role in helping us to understand the challenges survivors face, as well as the work underway to improve their experience.
This World Cancer Day, I encourage you to take steps to live healthier and help reduce your risk of cancer, including by talking to a health care professional and getting regular cancer screenings. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #WorldCancerDay and share your thoughts on how we can work together to reduce cancer and support those affected by it.
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health