Lung cancer prevention co-ordinator to help with screening

A new lung cancer prevention co-ordinator will help P.E.I. develop its first-ever screening program while educating Islanders about how to prevent the disease.

Lung cancer is one of the four most prominent cancer types in the province, claiming the lives of more than 100 Islanders each year.

The full-time lung cancer prevention and screening co-ordinator was hired in February to support lung cancer prevention and tobacco cessation and to monitor evidence to support the development of a lung cancer screening program.

“Two in five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but more people are also surviving the disease.” Jane Parsons

The P.E.I. Cancer Strategy 2016-2019 focuses on reducing the burden of the four most common cancers in the province: lung; breast; colorectal and prostate.

In addition to reducing the burden of lung cancer in the province, planning is underway to establish a prostate cancer action group to determine how to move forward with developing a screening program and care coordination.

Reports on lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers for Prince Edward Island will be completed in August.

During April, Islanders can also support those living with cancer and their families by purchasing a daffodil pin during the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month.

“Two in five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but more people are also surviving the disease,” said Jane Parsons of the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Money raised from flower sales during Daffodil Month allows the Canadian Cancer Society to fund more life-saving research, and offer support programs and resources for survivors.”

Screening helps catch some cancers early when they are the most treatable, and almost half of all cancers can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle.

Since April 2017, more than 15,400 Islanders have participated in cancer screening programs.

Information on cancer screenings and programming on the Island is available at www.healthpei.ca/cancercare.