Canadian Cancer Society calls for $575 million boost to cancer care

By Your Southwest Media Group

Canadian governments should hike the amount they spend on health by one per cent and dedicate the increase to cancer care.

That's the opinion of officials with the Canadian Cancer Society. Its experts believe that the death rate from cancer will rise by 44 per cent between 2020 and 2040 and that the country isn't prepared "for the surge in cancer cases expected over the next decade," the statement said. Cancer costs Canada $37.7 billion a year and is rising, the statement indicated.

"Without decisive action, delays in diagnosis will worsen, screening gaps will deepen and inequities will grow," predicted Vancouver's Andrea Seale, who runs the society.

Dedicating an increase of one per cent of the Canada Health Transfer to cancer care would amount to about $575 million a year and "help prevent more cancers, find cancer earlier, improve treatment and bolster innovation across the country," the statement said.

Progress is "stalling in key areas of prevention and early detection" and such an increase would "allow provinces and territories to shift toward a national standard of cancer prevention and care," the statement said.

Cases of colorectal cancer are now "two to 2.5 times higher than in previous generations and cervical cancer rates have plateaued after years of declines," it said.

With the extra $575 million, provinces and territories could "modernize health data, accelerate innovation" against cancer and improve "prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and supports in every region," the statement said.