The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
More Manitoba women will be screened for breast cancer with $982,000 in funding to add an additional 10,000 breast cancer screening appointments, provide better access to diagnostic services and promote cancer prevention, Health Minister Theresa Oswald and Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced. ÒBreast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Manitoba women and treatment can be more successful if it is diagnosed early,Ó said Oswald. ÒBy investing in a wide range of prevention, screening and diagnostic initiatives, we can help save lives and enhance our breast health services for Manitoba women.Ó The investments include: adding 10,000 more breast cancer screening appointments to the Manitoba Breast Screening Program, expanding the patient navigation program at CancerCare Manitoba to make sure women needing diagnostic followup services receive timely care, providing additional funding to support diagnostic ultrasound services for breast cancer, investing in healthy foods programs such as the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative and breakfast programs to make healthy foods more accessible to Manitoba families, and hiring regional community developers to focus on cancer prevention by planning and implementing ways to increase physical activity and promote healthy living in communities across the province. See 'Heal...' on pg. Continued from pg. ÒMany chronic diseases including cancer and breast cancer have common risk factors that can be reduced by good nutrition, increased physical activity and avoiding using tobacco,Ó said Irvin-Ross. ÒThese investments will make it easier for Manitobans to incorporate healthy choices and practices into their everyday lives, helping them reduce their risk of developing cancer.Ó ÒEarly detection of cancer is vital in managing breast cancer,Ó said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba. ÒThis new investment will increase our ability to reach more women and enhance rapid diagnosis through system-wide improvements.Ó ÒThis announcement allows Manitoba to be a Canadian leader in breast health,Ó said Mark McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Cancer SocietyÕs Manitoba Division. ÒCommitment to a breast health strategy will improve the experience for women and reduce the mortality associated with this disease. This is a balanced and thoughtful announcement showing commitment to a plan to reduce the number of breast cancer deaths and improve the experience for those women who are in the cancer system.Ó Research shows that as women grow older their chance of getting breast cancer increases. The Manitoba Breast Screening Program checks women aged 50 to 69 for early signs of breast cancer.
