Moving to Address High Cancer Rates in Cape Breton

Nova Scotia's commissioner of cancer care was in Sydney today to convey the findings and recommendations of an expert review panel asked to look at cancer studies in Cape Breton.

Dr. Andrew Padmos also described the actions Cancer Care Nova Scotia is proposing in order to address cancer rates in the area.

"We know cancer is a problem in Cape Breton and that the people of this area are anxious for solutions," said Dr. Padmos. "We will work with health care professionals, community groups and others to develop the right approaches to confront this serious health concern in Cape Breton and elsewhere in Nova Scotia."

Concerns about cancer in Cape Breton were heightened last fall following the release of two studies of cancer incidence and death rates in the region. Cancer Care Nova Scotia commissioned the expert review panel to examine the available data and recommend steps to improve the monitoring, screening and prevention of cancer.

The board of Cancer Care Nova Scotia has reviewed the panel's findings, which include:

• The overall rates of cancer, both incidence and mortality, in Cape Breton County are substantially higher than Canadian rates and are also higher, although less substantially, than cancer rates in the rest of Nova Scotia.

• There is no persuasive evidence that the overall cancer rates, either incidence or mortality, are higher in Sydney than in the rest of Cape Breton County.

• The higher cancer rates are not an isolated phenomenon but are consistent with and in similar magnitude to increased mortality from other important diseases, including heart disease. There does not appear to be a specific cancer problem but rather an overall health problem.

• Existing epidemiological evidence does not prove or disprove the hypothesis that environmental factors are causing cancers in Sydney.

The review panel's recommendations included developing public health strategies for Cape Breton County, enhancing the capacities of the Nova Scotia Cancer Registry and working with community partners to conduct future studies.

Dr. Padmos acknowledged that there are many factors that affect the determinants of health, including environment, and that this will be addressed together with the JAG Health Studies Working Group.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia has accepted an invitation to nominate a board member to join the JAG process and will work with the group to develop, conduct and analyse scientific studies that will address cancer rates in the Cape Breton region.

The cancer care board has confirmed its commitment to collaborate on specific ways to reduce cancer rates. Among the initiatives it proposes for discussion and possible implementation with community partners are:

• Working with Nova Scotia cancer screening programs to reach a greater proportion of the target audience.

• Investigating new screening programs that can reduce cancer deaths, for example, colorectal cancer screening.

• Strengthening the Nova Scotia Cancer Registry to develop a more effective cancer surveillance program.

• Becoming partners with the Cape Breton Cancer Centre on the second Cape Breton Cancer Conference to be held in Sydney this October to focus on prevention activities, screening programs and palliative care.

"We want to share our ideas and commitment to supporting cancer prevention, screening and education programs that will help Cape Bretoners and all Nova Scotians," said Peggy Davison, chair of the Cancer Care Nova Scotia board.

Dr. Padmos will be meeting with staff of the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex and regional physicians this evening to review the findings of the expert panel. He also met with members of the JAG Health Studies Working Group earlier today to discuss the findings.

The Department of Health established Cancer Care Nova Scotia in the fall of 1998 as a provincial program aimed at creating a more effective cancer care system, one that is truly patient focused as well as comprehensive and integrated. The program is managed by the commissioner of cancer care and governed by an advisory board made up of cancer survivors, family members, consumer advocates, professional care-givers and representatives of organizations involved with cancer care.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is currently working with its voluntary board to develop a comprehensive plan for cancer care in the province. Further details of the plan, related to cancer prevention, research, treatment and education, will be available later this spring.