News and Announcements

A pair of recently published studies may provide hope for parents who fear protecting their children from smoking in the future is out of their reach.

"Enforced home and vehicle smoking bans appear to support youth in maintaining a resolve to not smoke, regardless of the smoking status of the parent," said lead author Dr. Annette Schultz, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, and an investigator at the PsychoSocial Oncology and Cancer Nursing Research Group at St. Boniface Hospital Research.

Her study is published in the latest edition of Chronic Diseases in Canada. "The home environment is one social setting where parents may be able to influence their children?s susceptibility to smoking in the future."

Lead author of the other study, Janet Nowatzki, a health outcomes analyst at CancerCare Manitoba, agrees.

"In particular, parents who are smokers and have difficulties quitting, likely worry that they are negatively influencing their children, but even if parents are having trouble quitting, imposing a smoking ban in their home is one thing they can do to help their children remain smoke-free."

"The results of these studies certainly reinforce the importance of our upcoming ban on smoking in vehicles carrying children under 16," said Jim Rondeau, Minister of Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors. "We knew about the impact of secondhand smoke in cars, but now we also know that a ban lessens the chances that young people will ever start smoking. I have to thank the researchers for undertaking studies that provide such practical information with the real potential to impact smoking rates."

Prior to the teen years, youth are already forming attitudes about smoking. These attitudes are influenced by many complex factors, such as what is happening at home, and are linked to future smoking behaviour.

Schultz's study focused on determining associations between youth's susceptibility to smoking and parental and sibling smoking, restrictions on smoking in the home and exposure to smoking in vehicles. Schultz and colleagues discovered that for non-smokers, the odds of being susceptible to smoking increased with having a sibling who smokes, a lack of a total household smoking ban, and riding in a vehicle with a smoker.

"Youth's attitudes towards smoking and their decisions to smoke are shaped by many factors in their environment, including peer smoking behaviours, school smoking bans, and community smoking norms. However, findings from this study suggest that a commitment to having a smoke-free household may also serve as a protective mechanism for youth," said Schultz.

Nowatzki's study compared the perceptions of Grade 5 to 9 students from across the country with their parents regarding household environment and attitudes about smoking. Nowatzki's research revealed statistically significant patterns of disagreement between the youth and parent responses.

"Although it was not surprising to discover that parents and youth did not always agree on what was taking place in the household, it is important to acknowledge that there is room to improve on clearly establishing and communicating household bans, for both smoking and non-smoking parents," said Nowatzki, adding that when parents and youth disagreed, youth perceived fewer rules and more smoking in the home, as well as exposure to smoking in vehicles contrary to what the parents indicated.

Based on the findings of these studies, CancerCare Manitoba is developing promotional materials to educate the public about the benefits of household and vehicle smoking bans.

Funded by Health Canada, the studies were published in the June 2010 edition of Chronic Diseases in Canada, a quarterly scientific journal focusing on current evidence relevant to the control and prevention of chronic diseases and injuries in Canada.

Click here to view the press release (pdf version).

For more information, please contact:

Roberta Koscielny, Communications Coordinator
Population Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba
204-787-1677 or roberta.koscielny@cancercare.mb.ca

For a media interview with Dr. Schultz contact:

Bill Peters, Manager of Communications
St. Boniface Hospital Research
tel: 204-258-1325 or billp@sbrc.ca

Reveals need for strengthened systematic approach to achieve improvements

Winnipeg, June 29, 2010 - CancerCare Manitoba?s five year Community Health Assessment (CHA) provides a comprehensive look at how cancer is affecting Manitobans as well as the system that supports them. Released today, the report focuses on the key areas of cancer control - prevention, access, and outcomes - and based on performance system indicators in these areas, the overall picture of cancer care and control in Manitoba is satisfactory, but there is room for improvement.

"One thing this report clearly shows is the need for collective action and that everyone needs to take responsibility in tackling this disease. None of us alone can change the course of cancer in Manitoba, but together we can," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, President and CEO, CancerCare Manitoba. "We now know there are considerable variations in the cancer risk factors, access and outcomes throughout the province so we know where the weaknesses are and where we need to focus our resources."

Dr. Dhaliwal noted the comprehensive report provides an excellent, high level view of the state of cancer in the province. Key findings include:

• Manitoba's patterns of incidence by cancer type are comparable to other provinces. Cancer rates are often highest in eastern Canada and lowest in the west. Statistically, Manitoba is in the middle.
• Screening is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and some Manitoba communities have embraced cancer screening more than others. Higher uptake is found in the southwest corner of the province, with lower participation in the North.
• Manitoba's colorectal cancer screening rates are the highest in the country reflecting the Province's commitment to implement an organized screening program.
• Where screening programs are high, cancer is detected earlier and at a more treatable stage.
• The highest proportion of people diagnosed with late stage colorectal cancer and prostate cancer are in the North.
• Awareness and participation in breast screening programs has resulted in low rates of late stage breast cancer - around 5% - and that corresponds with a survival rate approaching 90%.
• Access to cancer treatment continues to improve, with radiation therapy waits the lowest in Canada.
• Cancer rates in the rural south are relatively low, consistent with lower risk factors like smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Manitoba outcomes (incidence, mortality and survival) remain stable, in line with other jurisdictions. Manitoba has seen a significant decrease in the incidence of prostate cancer, and has the highest/best survival rate for lung cancer in Canada.
• Over 95% of patients reported being satisfied with care.

The report also reveals there are serious challenges ahead for cancer services if current risk factors do not improve. Most of the increase in new cancer cases over the last 20 years is due to the aging population and, in common with the rest of the country, Manitoba's aging population will be the single largest contributor to the expected increase in cases in the future.

CancerCare Manitoba has looked at the statistical information closely and projects that the province will be facing a 50% increase in the number of new cancer cases over the next 15 to 20 years, which is similar to predictions in other jurisdictions. This emphasizes the need to take aggressive action to reduce risk factors and make positive lifestyle choices related to physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol intake as well as participation in screening programs.

"This report provides us with a great deal of information which will inform and educate us as to what our strategic priorities should be going forward," said Dr. Donna Turner, Epidemiologist and Provincial Director, Population Oncology. "If we can measure what we are doing, we can change it and we are measuring more about cancer in Manitoba than ever before."

"This report will direct our strategic plan for the next five years for cancer services. We can see what the future holds and it is clear that we as a society must take action and make changes to how we choose to live. We need to stop smoking, eat healthier, get in shape, be sun smart and get checked at the appropriate times, said Dr. Dhaliwal, adding our partners, including Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, the Regional Health Authorities, and the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, have recognized the need to promote awareness around these issues. "But all the partners and indeed all Manitobans, have to take responsibility to reduce the impact of this disease."

Information contained in the report examines cancer risk factors, screening participation rates, access to care and treatment, patient satisfaction and cancer trends over time. The report also shows there are variations in service across the province. Challenges of geography, type of cancer and patient choice contribute to these variations.

To view the report online, visit: www.cancercare.mb.ca/home/about_us/corporate_publications/

For more information, please contact:
Roberta Koscielny
Communications Coordinator, Population Oncology
CancerCare Manitoba
204-787-1677 or roberta.koscielny@cancercare.mb.ca

On December 18, about 70 young CancerCare Manitoba patients and their families gathered at the MacCharles Unit to cheer, giggle and celebrate at CCMB's 25th Annual Kids' Holiday Party.

The star of the show was Juno Award-winning entertainer, Al Simmons.  Simmons kept the audience singing and smiling with his zany props and his wacky lyrics.  The kids and their guests also enjoyed snacks, gifts and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

A party like this, however, does not come together easily, or for free.  CCMB is grateful to the Masons of Manitoba for their financial support of the party for the past quarter-century.  The Masons, who number 2,800 in Manitoba, have been the sole sponsor for the past 20 years.

"The Masons of Manitoba are the real-life Mr. and Mrs. Clause.  I think it's absolutely amazing that they have been putting on the Christmas party for 25 years.  They have only thought of these kids year after year and want to make their Christmas all that it can be," said Gail J., the mother of Joshua, a patient at CancerCare.

Joshua is almost five and has been getting treatment for his acute lymphoblastic leukemia since the age of three.

"Joshua loves to go to CancerCare  especially if it does not include treatment or a poke. Having a special reason makes this boy even happier!" said Gail.  "He loves the idea of cookies and chocolate milk and seeing friends and a special nurse there, and of course the gift sure doesn't hurt either!"

"This is a highlight of the year for our kids," said pediatric oncologist Dr. Sara Israels.  "This is an unbelievable commitment by the Masons and I think they understand what a highlight this is for our patients and their families.  And they don't just support it, they participate in it.  They have made this ongoing commitment and it means a lot to us."

Dr. Israels explained the party is a vital exercise in providing CCMB patients with a "happy event" in an environment normally associated with medical treatment.  The value of the event is even greater for kids who can't venture out because of the risk of infection, and for kids and families who live outside of Winnipeg.

"We try to treat the whole patient and whole family," said Dr. Israels.  "The focus is on child-and-family-centered care.  Celebrating events together is part of that."

For the Masons themselves, the kids' holiday party is about far more than writing a cheque.  They play central roles at the event.   Mason Ken Buchert and his wife Mary play Santa and Mrs. Claus.

"I was here for my first party in 1997 and was moved by the experience," said Grand Secretary C. Rae Haldane-Wilsone who was accompanied by five fellow Masons at this year's party.  "Being here fires up the commitment a bit more."

"The party contributes to people's quality of life,:" said 77-year-old Haldane-Wilsone, himself a cancer survivor.  "We feel great pride in being able to help families reduce their stress."

Both Haldane-Wilsone and Dr. Israels reserved special praise for Dawn Kidder, the Child Life Specialist who has been coordinating the party for 24 years.

"She's entirely committed to this patient population. She does more than just show up and do her job," said Dr. Israels.  She's been a 'key person' added Haldane-Wilsone.

"We're extremely proud of this event and very grateful for the significant commitment demonstrated by the Masons," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, President and CEO.  "These fine and compassionate Manitobans truly understand the immense importance of community involvement and benevolence."