Topic: The Canadian Connection...calling all canadian women

lisa from toronto - just started chemo last friday

Peggy from beautiful BC, Canada!

Hello Ladies, please read and if you connect to this cbc report it will also give you a chance to read the Canadian Cancer Report for 2007.  We are one Country but our helath care is based which province you live in, I wish I were in BC.  Please read it's so important. And I'm joing the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canda.pearl49                        Cancer care in Canada needs overhaul, report says

Last Updated: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 | 4:44 PM ET

CBC News

The way Canada deals with cancer is haphazard, outdated and needs to be overhauled, says a report Tuesday by the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada (CACC).

The report finds that more money needs to be spent on the prevention of cancer, with only six per cent of research funds currently going toward this initiative.
(CBC)

The 10th Report Card on Cancer in Canada finds that cancer care is inconsistent, with disease outcomes hinging on where a patient lives.

"Tell me your postal code and I will tell you your chances of surviving cancer," said Dr. William Hryniuk, past chair of CACC, in a release.

The report focuses on the lack of funding for the prevention of the disease, the need to streamline how clinical trials are run, the need for increased nursing, and better use of technological advances in treating cancer.

'Tell me your postal code and I will tell you your chances of surviving cancer.'-Dr. William Hryniuk

What Canadians pay for cancer has increased across the provinces, the report finds, with Ontario and Quebec residents picking up a greater proportion of drug costs. In Ontario, the cost of cancer drugs borne by the private sector increased to 40 per cent in 2006 from 31 per cent in 2002. And in Quebec, that figure rose to 39 per cent in 2006 from 28 per cent in 2002.

At the same time, provincial coverage of key cancer drugs is spotty, with some provinces covering the medications and others refusing to do so. For example, Ontario funds the lowest number of the 42 cancer drugs studied in the report, while B.C. funds the greatest number.

"Only a minority of these drugs are actually available to cancer patients who need them," Dr. Kong Khoo, an oncologist based in British Columbia, told CBC News on Tuesday. "A major problem is the cost of these drugs."

The authors recommend a national catastrophic drug strategy and drug plan be established, as well as Canada-wide guidelines to speed access to these medications.

"I think we are making progress," says Khoo. But unless we change how we do business and change how we deliver cancer care, we're not going to change the outcomes of the patients who are going to get it."

Research changes required

The report finds that more money needs to be spent on the prevention of cancer, with only six per cent of research funds currently going towards this initiative. Conversely, 16 per cent of funds are allocated for treatment.

It also states that although Canadian cancer research associations are sharply focused on solving clinical problems, there is a further need to ensure that researchers' priorities are aligned with societal needs when it comes to cancer research.

"Given the results of the present survey of research-dollar allocation, and the one undertaken three years ago, it would appear that the factors driving research continue to be predominantly those of the researcher themselves," the authors say.

Specifically with breast cancer research, the authors of the study feel that if more research findings on late-stage cancers were applied to early-stage cancers, the time it takes for new drugs to become available could be shortened, saving thousands of lives.

"At present, it takes a minimum of 10 to 15 years for a new agent to reach the clinic from the laboratory bench, in many cases 15 to 20 years to become fully characterized, because a sequence of at least four, and usually five types of trials are required for each new drug," reads the report.

"With suggested reforms calling for enhanced efficiency, the time period of testing could be reduced from the present 10 to 15 to less than five years."

Young need more resources

The report finds that young people between the ages of 15 and 39 have a disproportionately high death rate due to cancer, which the authors feel needs to be better addressed by the health-care system.

According to the report, 6,500 young adults are diagnosed each year in Canada with some form of cancer. But between 1975 and 1997, cancer patients between 15 and 39 have seen the smallest gains - and in some cases declines - in five-year survival rates.

The authors say this is caused by a lack of research into the behaviour of cancerous tumours in younger people. They believe the problem is compounded by a lack of support for the unique issues experienced by this demographic, such as a lack of peer support and fertility concerns.

"A combination of factors may be conspiring against this patient group to tip the scales against their odds of survival," reads the report. "Inadequate participation in trials, lack of age-specific protocols, a different physiologic milieu, reduced treatment dose intensity, delays in diagnosis, and treatment inappropriate for their particular malignancies may all be operating."

More strategic nursing needed

According to the report, nurses are a great resource for cancer patients, providing them with the support they need. But the authors feel that many nurses are assigned menial tasks, giving them less time to act as caregivers.

They believe that nurses should be utilized to the fullest to help cancer patients navigate the health-care system. They also feel that health-care authorities should allow nurses to perform less administrative work to assist with this heightened role.

"The amount of time lost to clerical and non-nursing duties is similarly disturbing, as it underlines a lack of professional control over the nurses' responsibilities to patients," reads the report. "Health system managers would do well to recall the old adage nurses should nurse and clerks should clerk."

The Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada is a non-profit organization that focuses on citizen advocacy.

I thought I'd chime in here too.  I started the Canadian thread 5 years ago this coming summer.  I'm glad to see a whole new crowd and discussion as there are some unique aspects to healthcare and life in Canada.  We are truly fortunate.

On the dark side - did anyone hear about the recently released study re- treatment of cancer in the provinces - from the Cancer advocacy Group (I think).   Best to live in BC or ALTA. - although we're all fortunate - It 's openness like this that will see constant improvement to the healthcare system.

I am celebrating my 5 years from dx.  this June - stage 2b - a CEF grad and rad grad too.  I'm truly well - and 52 years old.  I continue to work full time - in an active and demanding job, enjoy watching my own kids struggle to become adults and continue to run for fun and fittness regularly (did my 1st and only marathon last summer).

I've been on the boards a bit recently as I just about went for reconstruction and backed out at the last moment (surgery scheduled after being on the list for 2 1/2 years!)  I've struggled with this - but am now settling into my future with my body as it is.

Nice to keep in touch - and also to deal with my own feelings.

Sunshine2003(changed name in 2004 so my old posts were deleted)  

Janet 

Happy Valentines to all you crazy canuks!!!

Hi Marreb,

I've never been to the Breast Cancer Retreat but if it's in St. John's I'll definitely make a point to go!  Will PM you later.

Bernice

Hi Sierra........where abouts are you???? Maybe I can get you to Port Perry on a nice spring day????  PM me if you want

Hi everyone, Sharon here from eastern Ontario.  I don't post on the boards much but do get on the chat a bit. 

Hey Canadian Girls

I have a question, did any of you have Dense Dose 3 FEC rounds x 3 every 21 days first and then DD 3 rounds of Taxotere (by itself) for 3 rounds every 21 days.  It almost seems like the states girls get Tax/Cy together or is it just here in Sask that we get DD Taxotere by itself for the last 3 rounds, just wondering, becasue the DD Taxotere by itself sure seems easier going that the first 3 FEC rounds - just looking for some input from other Canadian protocal?

Thanks kindly.  Just finished my 4th treatment and only have 2 left YEH!!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend....Gwen

Hi Harsch:  I got the very same treatment as you. After I finished the FEC they asked me to take part in a study in regards to 5FU and it's toxicity in some patients. Some patients don't have the enzymes to break it down and can get reall sick from it.  We Canadians are way behind the Americans in cancer treatments the FEC basically did nothing for my cancer but the Taxols did.  I posted the Cdn report on Cancer and some links to the site it was on CBC and kept very quiet but take a look through you'll be surprised. The Cdn protocol is old very old I've posted about it above take a look.Best of luck and hope you do great throughout treatment, drink lots of water. Pearl49

Hi again everyone:

Snowylady: tks for posting the information :))

Twinks: I used to live in many spots you did
if you want to chat, write me..
private
Mtl, San Fran... Ottawa


Hugs to all today and sending out special light for any who are going thru tests or TX... Im not up to date as not on as much
the sun is out and it is grand

Port Perry..... come and get me
I am ready for a nice vino and
hmmm.. nachos or whatever..
wait till it is warmer.. OK>>>

write at my Private Daisy
so I can include a phone #.


S :))

Hi!!

Hello from Langley BC.

Diagnosed with a small IDC and some DCIS in 12/07.  Waiting on Rads and possible Tamoxifin...Yuck.....

Can't wait for the nice Coastal Weather.....

Hugs.... Kosh.......

Hi , I'm from Nova Scotia. bc and le hugs jinky

Hi Harsch:  So your finished the FEC good, but now you will start the Taxols, they will give you alot more steroids to take so watch for wieght gain, I didn't know that I could gain so much weight and my family was always worried I would lose weight so I ate to be safe but ended up gaining way to much.  Don't diet but just don't over eat anything. With the Taxols I had major headaches and bone and joint pain so I bought ice packs for my head and heating pad for my sore spots.  When they give you the Taxols they put ice pad on your feet and hands they used to put them on the head as well but patients complained to much.  The nurses explained it was to try and keep the taxols out of the brain, so I would an ice pack on the back of my neck sort of where the skull starts rounding up, I didn't do this the first time because I didn't know but for the second round it really helped with the headaches.  Maybe take a look at my posts there are alot and alot of them bitching but the taxols are supposed to be the best for killing cancer cells.  I also kept my fingers and toes cool as I tried to get them not to turn brown, but they did, but they didn't fall off thats why they get you to wear the mits and booties.  One thing that seemed weird was I didn't crave the water as much on Taxols on the FEC I couldn't get enough, but with Taxols I had to remember to drink it. I will admit the Taxols were harder for me but other women didn't have a bad time with it so lets hope your in that group.  But let me know anytime how your feeling and if I can help at all I will.pearl49

Hey, I'm from Sarnia, ON.  Nice to see all the Canadians signing in.