Organizations are asking the future Santé Québec agency to act in the fight against cancer and to appoint a vice-president specifically dedicated to it.
“We must be inspired by other provinces which have agencies dedicated specifically to cancer,” declared the president and CEO of the Cancer Research Society, Manon Pepin, in a press conference Friday morning.
The Quebec Cancer Foundation, the Cancer Research Society, Leucan and PROCURE publish a memoir “Cancer does not wait. The future Santé Québec agency must act” and propose eight recommendations to the government. First, they suggest appointing a vice-president responsible for the cancer axis within the future Santé Québec agency.
“I had the chance to meet the minister [de la santé, Christian] Dubé on 1er last February and I mentioned to him our great desire to see that. He has certain reluctance, but I am not giving up and I think that it is still the time to influence them positively,” declared the general director of the Quebec Cancer Foundation, Marco Décelles.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Marco Décelles, general director of the Quebec Cancer Foundation.
The organizations estimate that 67,548 Quebecers will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023, which represents 185 new cases per day.
Focus on research
The group asks the government to allocate a budget dedicated to fundamental and clinical research on cancer. “Researchers are desperately waiting for an increase to advance research,” says Mme Seed.
She also wants the government to allocate more scholarships at the doctoral and postdoctoral level in oncology in partnership with organizations dedicated to the fight against cancer. “The federal government has just announced historic investments in granting scholarships, but also in research. Quebec should take inspiration from this decision,” said M.me Seed.
Currently, doctoral and postdoctoral scholarships in Quebec amount to $25,000 and $45,000 per year respectively. At the federal level, it is now $40,000 and $70,000. “Betting research on research is an investment, not an expense,” she adds.
The organizations also want the government to give more room for innovation, in particular by promoting the availability of self-tests to obtain early diagnoses targeting various types of cancer and more advanced therapeutic treatments.
Reduce the mortality rate
The group also calls for identifying a quantified objective for reducing the mortality rate linked to cancer in Quebec by 2035. They also suggest standardizing computer systems and centralizing cancer patient data.
“Our goal is to ensure that every patient, regardless of where they are in Quebec, receives support adapted to their specific needs,” says PROCURE President and CEO, Laurent Proulx.
The organizations recommend that the government include measures for rare cancers in Quebec’s cancer action plan. “These cancers are often neglected due to lack of funds and they must really be considered as a whole, to ensure that no one is left behind,” says Leucan general director Juli Meilleur.
Finally, they want the government to cooperate with organizations to raise awareness among the population and marginalized communities about the fight against cancer.