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FACT SHEET

Cold, Hard Facts

1. Ontario is…

the second worst province in Canada in terms of providing access to newer intravenous cancer drugs and therapy, and

the worst province in terms of providing access to PET scan imaging.

2. Health Minister, Mr. Smitherman, gave a speech to the Economic Club of Toronto on September 11, 2006 and said…

“We need to fight for the right of all citizens to get the health care they need, when and where they need it, regardless of how much money they have in their pocket. Because that is our birthright, and we care about it.”

If the current government believes this – why is Ontario ranked 9th out of 10 provinces for newer cancer drugs and 10th out of 10 provinces for PET scan imaging?

What We Want
1. Wanted: A commitment from all party leaders – that if elected on October 10, 2007 – their party will bring Ontario at par with British Columbia for access to new intravenous cancer drugs and at par with Quebec for access to PET scan imaging by the end of 2008.

2. To be at par with British Columbia Currently in Ontario, only 4 from a list of 24 newer intravenous cancer drugs are fully funded for all citizens compared to 20 that are fully funded in British Columbia. Ten other newer cancer drugs are only provided in Ontario if the patient satisfies 31 different restrictions on eligibility or pays for the drug. Ontario patients face more restrictions to access newer intravenous cancer drugs than anywhere else in Canada. (See chart)

3. To be at par with Quebec Only 6 PET scans are fully funded in Ontario for every 100,000 people, while Quebec funds 209, Alberta 178, British Columbia 47 and Prince Edward Island 15.

Cancer Facts
1. 1 in 4 Ontarians will die of cancer. In 2007, it is estimated that 59,500 citizens will be diagnosed with cancer.

2. Cancer is the leading cause of premature deaths in Canada. Every year since 2003, cancer has been responsible for over 1 MILLION potential years of life lost.

3. Cancer does not discriminate in age, Canadian statistics state: Occurrences in those aged 20 to 59: 48,000 new cases or 30 per cent of all new cases,13,000 deaths or 18 per cent of all cancer deaths Occurrences in those aged 60 to 69: 41,000 new cases or 25 per cent of all new cases,16,000 deaths or 22 per cent of all cancer deaths

Statistical Sources: Report Card on Cancer in Canada, 2006; Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada; Cancer Statistics 2007: Canadian Cancer Society

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