Explore the amazing evolution of cancer care in Saskatchewan
“The history and legacy of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is the envy of cancer organizations around the world and something that we can all be proud of,” says Dr. Jon Tonita, as the agency celebrates 90 years of cancer care in the province.
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency not only provides leading-edge patient care, it also conducts world-class cancer research and operates life-saving screening and prevention programs for residents of the province.
The Cancer Agency’s long history is rich with fascinating milestones.
“We are a significant part of the health system in Saskatchewan,” says Dr. Jon Tonita, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
He is proud that the Cancer Agency recently received its first Exemplary Standing for safety and quality from Accreditation Canada. This is the highest achievement that a health care organization can receive.
“Working at the Cancer Agency sparked my interest in the history of the organization. Saskatchewan has demonstrated leadership in the cancer space for decades. We are lucky to have very detailed annual reports and articles that go as far back as the start of the organization,” says Tonita, who has been with the Cancer Agency for 26 years, the past five as CEO. He will retire from the position in June.
In 1929, the Saskatchewan Medical Association recommended the formation of a cancer treatment program to the Minister of Health. This was in response to the concerns of physicians that residents were not aware of the signs of cancer (tuberculosis was the big medical concern at the time). The Cancer Commission Act was proclaimed in March 1930.
After visiting “disorganized and fragmented” cancer clinics and hospitals in the U.S., two members of the Cancer Commission realized that a successful program had to begin by engaging the support of the whole medical profession. As a result, cancer clinics were established in Regina in December 1931 and in Saskatoon in January 1932. Somewhat surprisingly, the population of the province at the time was more than 900,000 residents — not dissimilar to today, while consisting of a younger demographic.
According to Tonita, an enthusiastic medical history buff, in 1932, Saskatchewan established “one of the oldest cancer data registries in the world.” He says that early patient data was filed “like a library” with individual cards that included the patient’s last name, the year, the cancer site and any further developments.
Today, cancer registry data provides essential information to researchers, health care providers and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research and improve cancer prevention and screening programs.
Tonita notes that early cancer treatment in the province included “very little systemic therapy.” Today, systemic cancer therapy options include chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
By the 1930s, it had become common practice to use radon
gas (a by-product of radium decay) in gold seeds to treat cancer. The seeds were similar to brachytherapy that is still used today, although treatment is much more sophisticated now. The first shipment of valuable radium arrived in Regina in 1931 and an emanation plant was built in Saskatoon to produce and capture radon gas.
Interestingly, trends in cancer since 1933 reflect the exposures and risk factors of the population. In 1933, the most common cancers admitted to the cancer clinics were lip, breast, female genitalia and stomach. Today’s most common cancers are breast, prostate, lung and colorectal.
The milestones continued. In 1944 when Tommy Douglas was the provincial Minister of Public Health, Saskatchewan became the first Canadian
province to provide financial coverage for cancer care at the province’s expense.
In 1951, under Dr. Harold E. Johns and Sylvia Fedoruk, the world’s first cobalt radiation therapy treatment machine was manufactured and installed in Saskatoon.
In 1990, the Cancer Research Unit was opened at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre by a grant from the Terry Fox Development Fund, in partnership with the Agency, College of Medicine, and the University of Saskatchewan (Usask). The unit now resides in the Usask Academic Health Sciences Building, where worldclass scientists and researchers are helping make a difference in treatment programs and outcomes for patients.
Today, more than 900 dedicated Cancer Agency employees are passionate about their work in cancer care delivery. This includes a dedicated team of health care professionals who specialize in cancer care and treatment.
There are two cancer treatment centres in the province: the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina. There is also a Community Oncology Program of Saskatchewan (COPS) that provides patients with care, treatment and support closer to their home communities. Sixteen COPS centres are located in hospitals throughout Saskatchewan.
The Cancer Agency also operates screening programs for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. It will also begin piloting a lung cancer screening program in northern Saskatchewan in 2023. Early detection results in better cancer treatment options and outcomes for patients.
The majority of funding for the Cancer Agency’s annual operations comes from the Province of Saskatchewan. Last year, the government contributed $219.8 million.
In 2019, the Agency’s new fundraising partner, the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, was launched and is raising funds to support the cancer care needs of the people of Saskatchewan. Every dollar donated stays in Saskatchewan.
One example of services supported by cancer donations is the cancer patient lodges. These lodges provide comfortable room and board in a supportive environment for out-of-town patients receiving treatment in Regina or Saskatoon. The Foundation’s Lodge Renewal Campaign helped fund necessary upgrades and enhancements to the Regina lodge.
To date, the Cancer Foundation has raised nearly $10 million. From those donations, $3 million helped purchase two new 4D CT Simulators for the Allan Blair and Saskatoon Cancer Centres. The simulators provide four-dimensional CT imaging for a more accurate assessment of organs at risk. Other contributions to the Cancer Agency help fund equipment and treatment, research, screening programs, and patient care and comfort needs.
Concludes Tonita, “The history and legacy of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is the envy of cancer organizations around the world and something that we can all be proud of.”
To find out more about the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and its programs, visit saskcancer.ca. To donate, go to cancerfoundationsask.ca.