Minister Ambrose announces boost in fight against cancer - New research aimed at preventing cancer and improving care for patients

TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, today marked World Cancer Day by announcing over 80 innovative cancer research projects across Canada, thanks to investments by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, as well as a partnership between Brain Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society. The announcement took place at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto where some of this ground-breaking research is happening.

Research continues to be a key part of the advancements in cancer treatment and control. The projects announced today aim to significantly advance our understanding of cancer through improved prevention strategies, early detection and monitoring, and strengthened care and treatment. It is anticipated that this new research will improve patient care, and reduce the burden on families and our health systems.

Totalling over $60 million, these projects include:

• four childhood brain cancer research projects through a $5-million partnership with Brain Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) with half the funding provided by the Canadian Cancer Society (with generous donor support, including one by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada), and the other half by matched funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund; and
• over $56 million for 77 cancer-related research projects across Canada through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and its partners, including a $2.4-million partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society to support five cancer prevention research projects.

Quick Facts

• Almost every Canadian knows or is related to someone diagnosed with cancer. Approximately 200 people die every day in Canada from some form of cancer.
• Approximately 191,300 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer each year, including nearly 200 children diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumour.
• In Budget 2011, the Government of Canada committed up to $100 million over six years (2011-2017) to the Brain Canada Foundation to establish the Canada Brain Research Fund. This Fund provides dollar-for-dollar matching funding to the Brain Canada Foundation to support Canadian neuroscience research and advance knowledge and treatment of brain disease and mental disorders.
• The Government of Canada has invested over $1.3 billion for cancer research since 2006.
• The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Government's health research funding arm, continues to build research programs to support innovative and collaborative research that will have a real impact on addressing each and every cancer diagnosis.

Quotes

"Today, as we mark World Cancer Day, I am pleased to announce a boost in the fight against cancer. Through these projects, we will advance research to improve prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment and support systems for cancer that will help to make a difference in the lives of Canadians facing cancer. We have made great strides in cancer treatment and survival rates have improved drastically. But there's more to do – more to understand about preventing and treating even the most complicated forms of cancer like brain and nervous system cancer. That is why our Government continues to encourage partnerships and investments such as the ones announced today to support innovative approaches in cancer research that will have a real impact. It will help us save lives."
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

"We are proud to partner with the Canadian Cancer Society and Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada on these excellent and innovative brain cancer research projects. With matching funds provided by the Government of Canada, we were able to attract and support a higher number of quality applications, and stimulate increased collaboration between the neuroscience and cancer communities. This will accelerate the pace of discovery, to the benefit of all Canadians touched directly and indirectly by cancers of the brain and central nervous system."
Inez Jabalpurwala
President and CEO, Brain Canada

"Every year, too many parents are faced with the devastating words "your child has cancer." Those four words mark the beginning of a very difficult journey for these children and their families. Brain cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in young children. There is a huge need for more research on brain cancers, both in children and adults, so that we can save people's lives and ensure that their lives are of good quality with minimal side effects of treatment."
Pamela Fralick
President and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society

"We must make exceptional change in the progress of brain cancer research. Our vision is to find a cure for brain tumours and to improve the quality of life for those affected and these four research projects are a significant step towards this reality."
Carl Cadogan
CEO, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

‎"Cancer places an enormous burden on patients and their families. CIHR is investing in world-class research to tackle the broad-reaching effects of cancer and to one day find a cure. World Cancer Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect and to re-affirm our commitment to supporting the best and brightest researchers in this field. On behalf of CIHR, I wish to express my gratitude and admiration to all those who work tirelessly to improve health outcomes for persons affected by cancer."
Dr. Alain Beaudet
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Associated Links

Fact Sheet – Four new projects to receive Brain Canada – Canadian Cancer Society Impact Grants
Fact Sheet – Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Projects
Brain Canada
Canadian Cancer Society
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Canada's Economic Action Plan

Health Canada news releases are available on the Internet at: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/media

SOURCE Health Canada

Michael Bolkenius, Office of the Honourable Rona AmbroseFederal Minister of Health, [phone]; Health Canada, Media Relations, [phone]; Public Inquiries:[phone], 1-866 225-0709; Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Media Relations, [phone]