2008 Community Report

TURNING HOPE INTO REALITY FOR A FUTURE WITHOUT CANCER: PREVENTION

Canada's population is growing and aging. If nothing is done there will be a 60% increase in the number of cancer cases in the next 20 years based on current trends. However, at least 50% of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living, healthy environments and public policies that protect the health of all.

The BC and Yukon Division of the Canadian Cancer Society has been at the forefront of cancer prevention for the past five years, investing donor funds and driving initiatives to reduce the number of cancer cases.  The importance of good health in reducing the risk of cancer is becoming more widely known.

Education programs encourage people to make changes in their lives
Community action mobilize individuals and communities to create healthier environments 
Advocacy directed at all levels of government ensures that healthier choices are easier choices everyone

We have moved beyond talking about prevention into action. 

The Canadian Cancer Society Chair in Cancer Primary Prevention at UBC, Dr Carolyn Gotay, completed her first year, connecting with the cancer control community and outlining a plan for more prevention research to develop and deliver programs.

We are very excited about building on this innovative role and establishing a Canadian Cancer Society/UBC Cancer Prevention Centre. 

Mutually beneficial partnerships can broaden reach and enhance impact. An ongoing collaboration with the BC Healthy Living Alliance led to:

• a tobacco free workplace initiative involving 24 organizations who encouraged younger employees to quit smoking. 
• a project to increase the capacity of communities to develop and deliver health promotion strategies employed 30 regional and local staff who assisted in identifying priorities, tools and resources.

A collaboration with the Canadian Dermatology Association involved screening clinics and providing sun sense information to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Health promotion coordinators and volunteers based throughout the province, delivered public information to assist individuals and groups in reducing the risk of cancer. Activities include:

• 196 prevention workshops and sun awareness events were held;

• 124 prevention displays were organized

Because it is not easy for many to make the right choices, the Canadian Cancer Society is committed to ensuring that people are protected from things around them that can increase the risk of cancer. 

This can be achieved by:

• Public policies protect health
• Adress inequalities and other social determinants of health 
• Rcognize populations at high risk

In April 2008 the Society hosted a comprehensive information session for provincial MLAs on environmental carcinogens.

• Introduce right to know product labeling 
• Restrict the cosmetic use of pesticides  
• Enhance tobacco control

At the provincial level there was considerable progress with the announcement of legislation to prohibit smoking in motor vehicles with children under the age of 16.

Community Action Coordinators and volunteers across the province have been working with communities who want to reduce exposure to environmental carcinogens by banning the cosmetic use of pesticides.

• In BC and the Yukon, 18 municipalities, 1 health authority and 2 school districts adopted bylaws; of 34 communities who have been engaged on this issue 21 are considering bylaws