Re: Health of Canadians should come first

I read Anne Gallant’s letter to the editor about the need for greater attention on cancer prevention and couldn’t agree more. We know that about half of all cancers can be prevented and that research, advocacy and healthy living play a significant role in reducing cancer risk.

The Canadian Cancer Society is committed to all stages of the cancer journey, including preventing cancer before it happens. That’s why we invested $5.6 million in cancer prevention research in 2017-18 along with millions more in other cancer prevention programs and advocacy initiatives nationwide. We expanded our walking school bus program that encourages school children to be more physically active, consulted on the launch of Canada’s new food guide and successfully advocated for the expansion of HPV vaccine programs, increases in tobacco taxes and bans on tanning beds and menthol cigarettes — all of which will reduce the number of Canadians diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. We also provide information online and by phone to empower Canadians to take action to reduce their cancer risk.

With more investments in prevention research and programs, we know we can reduce cancer’s toll and get closer to achieving our vision of a world where no Canadian fears cancer.

I encourage you to visit cancer. ca/prevention for more information about reducing cancer risk or itsmylife.cancer.ca to learn how to modify 16 cancer risk factors by making simple changes in your own life.

Jayna Stokes,

Prince Edward Island Provincial Lead, Canadian Cancer Society