Canadians have been getting screened for lung and cervical cancer more according to a new environmental scan report from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
Originally announced on Thursday, this development is important because regular screening can help save lives.
The reports provide a comprehensive overview of cancer screening programs across Canada’s provinces and territories.
For example, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, with one in 14 Canadians affected during their lifetime. Often undetected at its most treatable stages, lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals has proven highly effective, reducing mortality rates by identifying cancers early.
For lung cancer screening, six provinces—including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador—are actively providing lung cancer screening through a program or pilot.
Meanwhile, four others—these being Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island—are in the process of planning and implementing their own programs, with funding and support from the partnership.
Additionally, in 2023, an estimated 1,550 Canadians were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 400 lost their lives to the disease. Canada’s goal is to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
Since cervical cancer is linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), provinces and territories are implementing HPV primary screening, which detects cervical pre-cancer earlier than traditional Pap tests.
Prince Edward Island and British Columbia have already implemented or partially implemented HPV primary screening, while eight other provinces and one territory are in the planning stages. British Columbia has also pioneered the introduction of HPV self-screening.
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Testing compliance one of the largest hurdles to combating cancer
The 2023-24 reports offer updated and comprehensive data on cervical, colorectal, lung, and breast cancer screening programs across Canada. Developed with input from provincial and territorial partners, the reports align with international cancer screening frameworks set by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The partnership acknowledges the variations in screening programs across the country, allowing for high-quality services tailored to the unique needs of specific populations. The report data captures and reflects this diversity.
“Screening programs that are more accessible to everyone, including those in rural and remote areas, newcomers to Canada, and all populations across the country, can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment,” says Dr. Craig Earle, CEO of the partnership.
“This gives people a better chance of survival, and it is why the partnership continues to invest in new, innovative screening programs and approaches.”
Testing compliance remains one of the largest hurdles towards cancer fighting and prevention. This is due to the invasive, costly and potentially dangerous methods presently in use, according to Ivan Lo, CEO of Kentucky-based biotech firm, Breath Diagnostics.
He noted that lung cancer screening sees a compliance rate of just 6 per cent, compared to 65 to 85 per cent for other major cancers, despite lung cancer causing more deaths than the top four cancers combined in both Canada and the US.
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