News and Announcements

Congratulations to all our nurses at CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB), during National Nursing Week 2012. This week of recognition is well deserved, and we offer thanks on behalf of CCMB's executive, the Board, and all other staff, for your hard work and commitment to our patients.

Thousands of Manitobans come through our doors each year, and regularly attest to the exemplary professional care you provide. Just this past Friday, I received a letter from a former patient who thanked you, saying…

We join this patient, and the many others and their families, who appreciate your efforts, resilience and compassion.

Thank you.

Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, President & CEO, CancerCare Manitoba
Sue Bates, Ruth Loewen Joint Chief Nursing Officer

Coverage Will Eliminate Financial Burdens For Patients, Families: Selinger

Premier Greg Selinger today announced the government will help support cancer patients and their families by making oral cancer drugs free for Manitobans, eliminating deductibles and covering the cost of necessary support drugs that patients may need during their treatment.

"This budget will help patients focus on their health rather than worrying about the financial burden expensive cancer drugs have on their lives and families," said Selinger. "Our government is proud to be covering the cost of cancer treatment medicine and support drugs for patients at home no matter where they live in our province."

Currently, the province covers the full cost of cancer medications when they are administered at CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) facilities. Until today the cost of oral cancer medications taken outside of a health facility were the responsibility of the patient, with coverage available through drug plans such as Manitoba Pharmacare with its income-based deductible. Some newer cancer drugs can cost thousands of dollars per month.

"Starting today, the new Home Cancer Drug Program will cover 100 per cent of the cost of oral cancer treatment and support drugs, with no deductibles," said Health Minister Theresa Oswald. "This will also save some patients time and the inconvenience of having to go to the hospital for treatment. They can now take their medication in the comfort of their own home."

Some cancer patients require specialized medications and chemotherapies, which were previously only available in hospitals through intravenous drip or injection. However, over the last few years through medical advancements there have been a growing number of cancer medications and chemotherapy treatments that have become available in oral form, allowing patients to take the medicine at home and at their convenience instead of going to the hospital for treatment.

"These new oral cancer drugs are quite expensive, leaving many patients unable to afford them up until today. In the past, many patients have decided to travel to the hospital for treatment because they couldn't afford the oral medication. For some rural patients, this can mean a lot of travel," said Oswald.

"This announcement will have a profound impact on Manitoba families battling cancer in every corner of this province," said Mark McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society Manitoba Division. "We've talked to people in Flin Flon, Brandon, Teulon, Steinbach and Winnipeg who will no longer have to choose between their health and their family's financial well-being. This announcement allows cancer patients to focus their energy on beating cancer rather than worrying about drug costs and putting a financial burden on their family."

In addition to approved oral cancer treatment medications, the province will also fully cover the cost of appropriate cancer support drugs, which include anti-nausea medications to counter the difficult side-effects of chemotherapy treatments.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are now the only two provinces in Canada to fully cover the cost of both oral treatments and support drugs no matter where they are taken.

"On behalf of our patients, CancerCare Manitoba thanks the provincial government for this very important next step towards a comprehensive, sustainable, provincial oncology drug program," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba. "The Manitoba Home Cancer Drug Program enables cancer specialists to better tailor appropriate treatment for cancer patients through the safe and effective use of expensive drugs."

It's estimated that 6,100 Manitobans will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

"Everyone is touched by cancer in some way ? it may affect our parents, neighbours and friends. In this budget we're ensuring that every Manitoban can access world-class cancer care whenever and wherever they need it," said Selinger.

To enrol in the new Home Cancer Drug Program, which covers 100 per cent of eligible oral cancer treatment and support medications starting today, patients should contact CancerCare Manitoba Pharmacy at 204-787-4591.

More information is available at www.cancercare.mb.ca.

Today is Oncology Nurses Day, a day of recognition for the hard work and dedication of oncology nurses here in Manitoba and across North America. On behalf of the government of Manitoba, let me thank you, our oncology nurses, for bringing care and comfort to Manitobans when they need it most ? during their battle against cancer.

Your daily efforts are crucial in ensuring that Manitoba?s cancer patients and their families receive strong, sure support and guidance during their cancer journey. Whether at CancerCare Manitoba, at partner hospitals of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, or at the 17 Community Cancer Program communities such as Thompson, Brandon, or Boundary Trails, Manitobans with cancer benefit from the dedicated oncology nurses who take on the fight against cancer.

I thank you, as do the many Manitobans whom you have helped. Your commitment to the care and treatment of cancer patients in this province is greatly appreciated.

Theresa Oswald,
Minister of Health

Click here to view Province of Manitoba Proclamation -  - Canadian Oncology Nursing Day.

Please join us in celebrating Canadian Oncology Nursing Day, a day set aside to recognize the important contribution of oncology nurses across North America. This year?s theme of Partners in Care: Advocating for Excellence certainly describes the work oncology nurses do here at CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB), and at our partner sites in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and Community Cancer Program sites across Manitoba.

On behalf of the CCMB Board of Directors, and all CCMB staff, please let me extend a special thanks to our oncology nurses here at CancerCare Manitoba.

Your compassion, expert care and support are appreciated by patients and their families, who rely on your expertise during their difficult cancer journey. Your long hours, commitment and resilience in a challenging work environment are especially appreciated by all of us at CancerCare Manitoba. Thank you on behalf of our agency, and on behalf of the many Manitobans who count on you.

Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal,
President & CEO, CancerCare Manitoba

Sue Bates and Ruth Loewen
Interim Chief Nursing Officers

Smoking Cessation Program Will Include Counseling, Tools, at no Cost

Winnipeg, Manitoba January 18, 2012 - CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) will provide a comprehensive smoking cessation program to cancer patients and their immediate family, to help them stop smoking. Supported by funding from the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation and CCMB, the program will include the best practice approach of combining counseling with treatment such as nicotine patches or medication. Starting with patients facing Thoracic, Head & Neck cancers, smoking cessation services will be available to cancer patients and their immediate family at no cost.

"The grip of this deadly habit is so strong that we have patients who continue to smoke, even while coming to us for treatment of cancer, and many are under the false impression that it is 'too late' because they have cancer already", said CCMB President & CEO, Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal. "Studies show that stopping smoking at any time improves a person's health. For cancer patients it improves their odds of beating cancer and lowers the risk of recurrence of cancer. Quitting smoking is the best option."

Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of cancer, particularly lung cancer. Approximately 80-90% of lung cancers are associated with first or second hand exposure to smoke. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada.

While the initial focus will be on Thoracic and Head & Neck cancer patients, which includes lung cancer patients, all CCMB patients facing cancer can consult with the CCMB smoking cessation staff.

CCMB's Smoking Cessation Services will help patients and their families deal with the emotional and physical aspects of quitting smoking, through a full range of supportive cessation treatments.

"We are doing more than just encouraging our patients to quit ? we're giving them the tools to quit", says Jill Taylor Brown, Director of CCMB's Patient and Family Support Services, which will jointly coordinate the CCMB Smoking Cessation Clinic with CCMB's Pharmacy and Nursing departments. "Patients will be offered the help from a team that includes a nurse practitioner, a social worker and pharmacist, who will provide support and guidance on how to successfully quit smoking for the long term."

According to latest results from the Canadian Community Health Survey, almost 19% of Manitobans are smokers. Adults between the ages of 20 to 34 years have the highest rate of smoking. Quitting smoking at any age helps, with greater benefits realized the younger the smoker kicks the habit.

For more information contact:
David Hultin
Communications Coordinator
CancerCare Manitoba
(204) 787-4540 or david.hultin@cancercare.mb.ca

CancerCare Manitoba is charged by an act of the Manitoba legislature with responsibility for cancer prevention, detection, care, research and education for the people of Manitoba. As a centre of choice, we are dedicated to excellence in cancer care, to enhancing quality of life for those living with cancer and blood disorders, and to improving cancer control for all Manitobans.

Manitoba Moving Forward With $40-million, System-wide Cancer Strategy: Premier

MORDEN-WINKLER^_Manitoba's first regional CancerCare hub will soon open as part of the province's $40-million commitment to help Manitobans affected by cancer, Premier Greg Selinger announced today at the Boundary Trails Health Centre.

"Today, we're following through on our commitment to fight cancer together by connecting patients, patient navigators, doctors, nurses and other health-care providers to provide faster access to testing, diagnosis and treatment," said Selinger. "This new CancerCare hub expands on the chemotherapy services currently available through our community cancer programs and will be the first of many to provide co-ordinated, world-class cancer care no matter where you live."

Four more hubs will be strategically developed at existing community cancer program sites over the next year as part of a broader investment of nearly $3 million to transform all 16 existing sites over the next three years, said Selinger. The co-ordinated services offered by these hubs will help move the province toward its ultimate goal of accelerating the cancer patient journey to two months or less, he said. The hubs will also help co-ordinate access to expanded services like cancer screening and early detection services, cancer risk-reduction programs and palliative care.

"Today's announcement continues the transformation of the cancer system, so that Manitoba patients benefit from rapid, compassionate cancer care in action," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and chief executive officer of CancerCare Manitoba. "The system will be re-engineered to connect state-of the-art cancer expertise with primary care to provide rapid treatment and to offer increased support services at community cancer sites, to ease the worry and wait of those facing this disease."

To support the work of the CancerCare hubs and reduce wait times to two months or less, patient navigators are already in place in the Assiniboine, Brandon, Central, Interlake and Parkland health regions, with plans to hire additional navigators over the next few years. Once this program is fully established, every new cancer patient in the province will be able to access a navigator who will follow their referrals, testing, diagnosis and treatment to ensure care is provided without delay and to advocate on their behalf whenever necessary to speed up care, said the premier. Each CancerCare hub will also have a lead clinician, who will be the region's primary contact for cancer expertise, support and resources.

"Supported by navigators and other resources available through this hub, many of our clients and their families will experience reduced stress throughout their journey from diagnosis to treatment," said Kathy McPhail, chief executive officer of the Regional Health Authority ^_ Central Manitoba. "Through collaborative efforts and valued partnerships, we can collectively meet our mandate to achieve the best possible health outcomes for our community."

There are 16 community cancer programs that currently offer chemotherapy to rural Manitobans. With over 23,000 patient visits per year, these sites avoid 10 million kilometres of travel to and from Winnipeg for patients and their families, said Selinger. In total, 10 existing community sites will become full regional CancerCare hubs offering an increased range of cancer care, supports and expertise, and the remaining six smaller community sites will become satellite hubs, offering expanded support services while connecting into other regional hubs as needed. All hubs and sites will work together with patients and families to offer world-class care and enhanced support during the entire patient journey, the premier added.

"Our comprehensive strategy for improving the cancer patient's journey will help Manitobans and their families connect with compassionate and responsive care when they need it, as close to home as possible," said Health Minister Theresa Oswald. "We are building on the dedication and compassion of hundreds of Manitobans who provide testing, treatment and care to the many others whose lives are affected by cancer."

Health-care providers will be able to access regional expertise and support from the CancerCare hubs, CancerCare Manitoba and the recently established Manitoba Cancer Partnership steering committee, a group of health-care leaders focused on integrating services to provide timely and seamless access to diagnostics and treatment, said Oswald. Workshops and other educational opportunities about the cancer-care system will continue to be offered to family physicians to ensure they have the information and tools necessary to provide appropriate, timely care to patients, she said.

Every year, more than 6,000 Manitobans are diagnosed with cancer, while up to 10 times that number are suspected of having cancer and undergo testing before it is ruled out. Like most other jurisdictions, Manitoba is projecting a 50 per cent increase in cancer cases over the next 20 years.

Manitoba's five-year, $40-million, system-wide cancer transformation strategy will streamline and fast track the cancer patient journey from when a family doctor's first suspects a diagnosis of cancer until the time treatment starts including referrals, testing, diagnosis, re testing and the development of a treatment plan, said Oswald. It is estimated this journey now takes three to nine months, she said, adding Manitoba's goal is to achieve a benchmark of two months or less through a number of initiatives including:

• introducing cancer patient navigators to advocate on behalf of patients by co-ordinating care;
• identifying care delays and issues and resolving them to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment;
• streamlining health services for cancer patients and prioritizing areas for action;
• guaranteeing an appointment with a specialist within two weeks or less for urgent referrals;
• developing a rapid diagnostic network for cancer patients to better link and speed up diagnostic imaging and pathology;
• and establishing the Manitoba Cancer Partnership steering committee, a coalition of health-care leaders tasked by the minister to ensure all parts of the health-care system are working together to deliver seamless access and patient care as quickly and efficiently as possible.