Posts tagged Advocacy
Making the grade: 2010-2011 Report Card on Cancer in Canada
Apr 19th
Cancer treatment is often described as a journey- but just how bumps in the road will a newly diagnosed patient encounter on that journey?
The Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada (CACC) considers a variety of healthcare system topics in the Report Card on Cancer in Canada, including the debate about whether clinical trials should be part of the “standard of care” for patients as well as the ongoing struggle to implement prevention programs. The CCAC is proud to report that Dr. Pierre Major (a close friend and member of our Medical Advisory Board) contributed an interesting article regarding wait times. Please click the link at left to visit the CACC’s website to learn more about the work they do and download the report. You can also request a hardcopy.
Click here to read the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada’s official press release.
On a serious note – We assess the importance of quality of life during cancer treatment (and end-of-life care)
Apr 6th
If your case was deemed terminal, how would you spend your last few days, weeks, or months of life?
This was just one of the difficult questions on a national survey commissioned by the CCAC. Entitled “Weighing Quality of Life in Cancer”, the survey found that an astounding 80% of Canadians were touched by some kind of cancer, either personally or through a friend or relative- and that quality of life during treatment is a top priority.
But what is “quality of life”?
It turns out that “quality of life” is a complex issue that encompasses social, economic and cultural components. For example, one of the top challenges respondents cited was the difficulty of obtaining adequate government benefits and insurance to cover the costs of their treatment. Others found greatest difficulty in finding adequate emotional and psychological support.
On that note, we stand by our assertion that a supported patient is a well-coping patient. Call us at 1-877-50-COLON (26566) to be put in touch with one of our highly trained Cancer Coaches.
We look forward to publishing the full results of our survey soon, but click here to read more in the meantime.
The B.C. media has noticed, how long until the Health Minister follows suit?
Jul 28th
The Vancouver Sun also picked up the story- that is, the story that thousands of British Columbians are still waiting for an effective population-based colorectal cancer screening program! Survivors like Ruth Tremblay and Doug Shirlaw ask, “How long until a real change is made?”
Click here to read “B.C. In Dire Need of Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, Survivors Say”, the Vancouver Sun’s coverage of Tuesday’s press conference.
Opposition in British Columbia calls for a province-wide screening program to save lives
Jul 27th
British Columbians were reminded of the importance of colorectal cancer at a press conference held in Vancouver this morning. NDP Opposition Critic for Health Adrian Dix spoke out against the province’s slow response to the lifesaving facts regarding the efficacy of colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the province’s second leading cause of cancer death.
Two of the CCAC’s dedicated Cancer Coaches were on hand to share their experiences with the disease and remind the public of the support and awareness programs offered by the CCAC. Ruth Tremblay and Doug Shirlaw were instrumental in reminding the public of the kinds of lives more complete screening measures could save. Click here to learn more about the Cancer Coach program.
“The study published in the CMAJ [Canadian Medical Association Journal] demonstrates that British Columbians have much to gain from implementing a colorectal cancer screening program. This is a sound, long term strategy for dealing with one of the deadliest cancers in this province. It is a smart solution that will protect generations of British Columbians by allowing us to target colorectal cancers early on,” Dix said. “The facts are all there, what’s missing is political will.”
The CCAC extends a warm thank you to Adrian Dix for his dedication to demanding better screening, and to all of those who participated in the press conference.
How do you feel about screening options of availability in your jurisdiction? The CCAC offers an Advocacy Toolkit to get you started.
Click here to read the official NDP press release.
Bowel cancer doesn’t recognize borders
Jun 25th
Beating Bowel Cancer and Bowel Cancer Australia have welcomed the addition of the CCAC, as well as the newly formed Beat Bowel Cancer New Zealand, to the international colorectal cancer alliance known as Bowel Cancer International. We are proud to be partnering with these organizations!
Together, the four charities will lead in the global fight against colorectal cancer, which weekly claims the lives of 320 people in the UK; 73 in Australia; 175 in Canada and 24 in New Zealand. This alliance will make it easier than ever for us to share information and resources, helping each organization in its advocacy efforts and program development
Says CCAC president Barry Stein, “International cooperation bringing together the best information available on colorectal cancer will help to bring about increased awareness in the prevention of the disease and support for patients undergoing treatment. This alliance will help further the role played by patient organizations in obtaining timely access to effective treatments with the goal of improving patient outcomes.”
Click here to read the official press release.
Avastin has been approved for funding in PEI- see the CCAC event that helped make it happen
May 27th
You may recall that PEI recently became the latest Canadian province to approve the funding of Avastin, insuring that Islanders of all income levels have access to the very best care.
You may also recall the CCAC’s presence in PEI in April. The Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Health and Wellness, strongly supported the advancement of colorectal cancer care at the our legislative information session, and experts like Dr. Phil Champion and Dr. Paul Schaefer spoke to the importance of the case. Click on the image at left to view their passionate testimonials!
See the official Prince Edward Island press release here.
See the CCAC’s official press release here.
Breaking news: Avastin funding will soon be available to PEI patients
Apr 30th
Avastin is one of ten new drugs being added to Prince Edward Island’s provincial drug formulary, according to an announcement made this morning by the Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Health and Wellness. Effective July 1st, the formulary budget is increasing by over $1.3 million dollars, ensuring that Islanders of all income levels have access to the very best care.
You may recall the CCAC’s presence in PEI mere weeks ago. Minister Bertram strongly supported the advancement of colorectal cancer care at the CCAC’s legislative information session, which highlighted the importance of screening and access to Avastin and other targeted therapies on April 14th. “We are increasing our drug programs budget to address the rising financial demands of Islanders. As Minister of Health and Wellness, I am committed to continue working to meet the health care needs of Islanders both for today and for the future.”
Says CCAC president Barry Stein, “The CCAC congratulates the Prince Edward Island government for making Avastin publicly accessible to colorectal cancer patients with advanced disease… In some cases, coupled with surgery, these patients may even find a cure. We are optimistic that the criteria to access the medication will be at least in line with the other provinces.”
See the official press release here.
See the CCAC’s official press release here.
Wednesday night in Toronto – the Stephen Lewis Speaking Tour
Apr 5th
Calling all Torontonians! This Wednesday, April 7th, Stephen Lewis will be speaking at The People vs. Cancer event at the University of Toronto. He will challenge Canadian universities and students to bring forward their skills, innovation, creativity and leadership to the challenge of significantly reducing cancer rates in one generation. He will also be advancing the C2CC campaign effort to have cancer control included in discussions at the G8/G20 meetings to be hosted by Prime Minister Harper in June 2010.
The CCAC will be there with our information booth from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. to answer your colorectal cancer questions and give you some vital information.
To RSVP, contact April O’Donoughue (450.292.3456 ext.222). We’ll blogging about the event afterwards, too!
What does the US health care reform mean for Americans concerned about colorectal cancer?
Apr 1st
The CCAC blog may not be the place for politics- but it is the place for breaking news regarding the access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment in Canada and abroad.
As Canadians, we tend to be very interested in the American health care reform- after all, our system is the one that the US system is compared to the most. For better or worse, access to site health care is a very hot issue. Politics and ideology aside, our American friends may be interested in what the reform means for them- and their chances of preventing, treating and beating colorectal cancer.
Below, a small preview of a Colorectal Cancer Coalition article entitled, “What Does Health Care Reform Mean For People Concerned About Colorectal Cancer? Please click here to read the original article- it’s a very important read.
BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COLORECTAL CANCER:
- Beginning immediately, health insurance plans cannot drop you or reduce your benefits just because you become sick, a process called rescission.
- After January 1, 2014, insurance plans will not be able to deny coverage or charge higher premiums if you have a pre-existing condition. Until that time, people with pre-existing conditions will be able to find affordable insurance in special high-risk pools supported with federal funds. For people with inherited colorectal cancer who worry about testing for a genetic condition, the law specifically includes genetic information among the health conditions for which there cannot be discrimination.
- Six months after the the law is enacted, insurance companies can no longer place lifetime limits on healthcare coverage, nor can they impose restrictive annual limits.
- In 2014, all group and individual plans must eliminate annual limits. Even if you need expensive cancer care, you will no longer need to worry about your insurance refusing to meet those costs.
- Depending on your income, there will be limits on the amount of money you need to pay out-of-pocket for health care for you and for your family each year
Congressional Butt-In – March 30, 2010
Mar 30th
Most Canadians have the benefit of screening networks at the provincial level, and we believe that all people around the world deserve that same opportunity.
To that end, our friends at the Colorectal Cancer and Colon Cancer coalitions south of the border have their own Buttmob forming, and it’s all in the name of advocacy. Tell your American friends:
Call your congressman on Tuesday March 30, 2010 and urge them to support the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act. Americans around the country will be calling their legislators as part of the “Congressional Butt-In” a day-long effort organized by C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition. On that day, constituents are urged to flood their legislators offices with phone calls about important programs which would not only save millions of taxpayer dollars, but more importantly, have a positive impact on the number of colon cancer deaths each year.
Think about it:
“A National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program has the potential to help tens of thousands of Americans each year get the screening they need, at a fraction of what it would cost to care for their late stage cancer diagnoses if their care was delayed until they were in the Medicare system.” – C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition
Here’s some proud Canadian advocacy news: Newfoundland and Labrador has finally announced its intention to create a population-based screening program! Newfoundland was the last remaining province without a screening network. Over 500,000 Canadians there will now have better access to lifesaving tests. Stay tuned for details on the program’s implementation.
Click here to learn more about the CCAC’s advocacy goals.
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