February 4 is World Cancer Day - Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec invites the Québec government to do more

MONTREAL, Feb. 4, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec takes the opportunity on this February 4^th, as we celebrate World Cancer Day, to urge the Québec government to do more for the fight against cancer. "We need a real cancer control plan accountable to the whole population," declares Coalition president Nathalie Rodrigue, T.M. 

The theme for World Cancer Day 2016 is "We can. I can." The Coalition reiterates how cancer is the leading cause of death in Québec and that the number of cancer diagnostics is expected to rise by more than 35% over the next 15 years.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, presents a significant message: "We must do more to end the many tragedies that cancer inflicts. About one third of cancers can be prevented, while others are curable if diagnosed and treated early. And even when cancer is advanced, patients should benefit from palliative care."

While recognizing the interesting announcements recently made by Québec's Health and Social Services Minister, including the creation of cancer committees within each institution as well as new investments into palliative care, the Coalition's president is asking the Minister to tackle the issue of access to care and services. "Recent surveys of cancer patients all show that access to services remains generally more difficult in Québec than elsewhere in Canada and other industrialized countries. That is where the challenge lies," claims Mrs. Rodrigue.

In fact, the Coalition will soon be presenting Minister Barrette the report and recommendations resulting from the Forum on the governance of the fight against cancer which was held last September 15 to provide various solutions to improve the management of the fight against cancer.

About Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec

Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec was founded in 2001 to assist, protect and give a voice to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, informal caregivers and their families), to support cancer-related community organizations and health professionals, and to help organize the fight against cancer. Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec was founded in 2001 to protect and give a voice to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, informal caregivers and their families), to support cancer-related community organizations and health professionals, and to help organize the fight against cancer. Thanks to the many organizations and individuals in its ranks, the Coalition has close to 2 million members.

The final report resulting from the Forum on the governance of the fight against cancer is available (in French only) at http://fr.calameo.com/read/0012859275d231c952b19

SOURCE Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec

Marie-Ève Benjamin, Communications technician, 1-888-726-8302, Cell: 514-794-0697, [email protected]