Glen Abernethy: Northwest Territories Cancer Strategy

Déclarations et discours de ministres

Mr. Speaker, the number of new cancer cases in the Northwest Territories is expected to rise dramatically by 2030.  According to Canadian Cancer Statistics 2015, a report released by the Canadian Cancer Society earlier this year, the number of new cancer cases in all of the Territories will increase by approximately 60 per cent within the next 15 years, largely due to an anticipated increase in the seniors’ population.

To guide our planning for this increase in cases, the Department of Health and Social Services has developed the NWT’s first 10-year Cancer Strategy; Charting Our Course: Northwest Territories Cancer Strategy 2015-2025, which I will be tabling later today. 

Charting Our Course outlines the GNWT’s commitment to improving the cancer patient experience, including planning and coordination at all levels of prevention, care, and support.

Our Cancer Strategy sets out five distinct areas of focus: cancer prevention; early detection and screening; continuity of care; communication and information flow; and the quality of life of cancer patients, their families and caregivers, and cancer survivors.

Cancer care and support services must address the diverse needs of people and our communities. Our Cancer Strategy is the result of research and consultation with many partners including Aboriginal governments, regional health and social services authorities, Elders, and individuals and families whose lives have been affected by this disease. The Strategy, which was directly informed by our conversations with these partners, reflects our most urgent priorities over the next ten years.

The Strategy combines clinical evidence with community knowledge—including lessons shared by cancer survivors—to lessen our cancer burden and reduce inequities in cancer care.

Charting Our Course promotes a circle of care model where the patient is at the center, surrounded by a team of health professionals— physicians, nurses, social workers, counsellors, and dieticians— who work collaboratively toward the patient’s holistic health and wellness.

Mr. Speaker, opening a dialogue among all NWT residents—especially between patients and care providers—is at the very core of this Strategy.   We can learn from one another, ease fear, reduce stigma, and ultimately support healing.  

We all have a personal responsibility for maintaining our own health.  I cannot emphasize enough the need for each of us, and for every resident of the NWT, to live a healthy lifestyle. By eating healthy food, getting regular exercise, and by reducing alcohol consumption and not smoking, the chances are reduced that we will develop cancer and other chronic diseases as we and the population age.

Knowing your cancer risk and getting regular, early screening is also essential. This ensures that we are able to catch the disease early should it appear, and have a better chance of treating it successfully.

Implementation of the Strategy will have a lasting, better beneficial impact on our residents, and will guide our efforts and interventions to ensure that we are providing Best Health, Best Care, and a Better Future to cancer patients and their loved ones.

I would like to acknowledge our partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, which is an important component of our work to reduce cancer in the NWT.  And the input provided by the Canadian Partnership against Cancer, the Breast Health /Breast Cancer Action Group, the Stanton Elders Council, community leaders, and the many residents who gave us wisdom and insight into their healing journeys through Sharing Circles held across the NWT.

Our next step will be to develop a social marketing campaign built around this need for open dialogue and support.  By encouraging learning and discussion about cancer prevention, early detection, and supporting one another in making healthy choices, we hope to contribute in a meaningful way to individual and community-level change for healthier living.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.