The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, recently announced an investment of $10 million towards national cervical cancer research.
We couldn’t be more excited.
You’ve heard us say this before. But with vaccination, early detection, and effective management, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
And yet, in 2017, approximately 1,550 Canadian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and an estimated 400 died from it.
Statistics on cervical cancer show that cervical cancer tends to occur in midlife and is most frequently found in women aged 35 to 59. Many of these women are at the centre of their families, communities, and professional lives.
We also know that Immigrants and Indigenous women are at higher risk due to access barriers, lack of awareness, and lack of culturally-safe and client-centred screening programs. Their illness and deaths impact well beyond just themselves.
This investment in national research will save lives.
This funding will support national cervical cancer research to be led by world-renowned physician and researcher, Dr. Gina Ogilvie and her team at the Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s, the BC Elimination of Cervical Cancer Task Force, and her colleagues at the Gynecological Cancer Initiative.
We were so proud to stand on stage with these exceptional leaders, clinicians, and scientists to accept and celebrate this announcement.
Improving the health of women begins with research. And research transcends all geographical boundaries.
The World Health Organization recently announced that the elimination of cervical cancer is now one of its top priorities. While there remains more to do, with a deepened federal commitment and the ongoing investments made by BCWHF supporters, the elimination of cervical cancer is in our sight in Canada.
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