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.
Jonathon Naylor Editor The New Democrats are promising to improve access to cancer treatments in Flin Flon if re-elected. The party last week unveiled a pledge to hire cancer patient advocates for the city and the 15 other rural locations that offer chemotherapy treatments. "No family goes untouched by cancer," said NDP leader Greg Selinger in a news release. "We are committed to supporting Manitobans facing cancer, no matter where they live." The advocates would schedule and coordinate appointments, tests and treatments, and work with local doctors and other providers to improve services and reduce the need for multiple trips to larger communities for care. Selinger said the plan will ensure faster access while giving "rural cancer patients and their loved ones one less thing to worry about." The plan would transform all rural Manitoba communities that offer chemotherapy into what the NDP calls "Cancer-Care hubs." Chemotherapy access The other rural communities with chemotherapy access are The Pas, Thompson, Swan River, Brandon, Dauphin, Deloraine, Gimli, Hamiota, Morden/Winkler, Neepawa, Pinawa, Portage la Prairie, Russell, Selkirk and Steinbach. Flin Flon's chemotherapy program, based in the hospital, sees over 400 patient visits per year. The advocates are part of a $19.5-million NDP cancer strategy that also includes a commitment to fully cover the cost of cancer treatment and support drugs for all patients. Also promised are more pathologists and cancer-testing coordinators, with the aim of providing faster screening and diagnoses of cancer patients. The NDP has further pledged to enhance supports for Manitobans who want to quit smoking, a leading cause of cancer.
