albertaliberalcaucus

March 23, 2011

Alberta has among the worst lung cancer survival rates in Canada
Edmonton Albertas lung cancer survival rates are among the worst in Canada, and Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann is making connections between these poor results and the governments decision to dismiss two prominent Alberta lung specialists. Published in the January 2011 issue of the widely respected medical journal the Lancet, the report (titled Cancer survival in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the UK, 19952007 (the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership): an analysis of population-based cancer registry data) shows that the five-year lung cancer survival rate in Alberta stands at just 15.1 percent, compared to a Canadian average of 18.4 percent. Manitobas survival rate tops 20 percent. (Provinces east of Ontario were not included in the study.) Getting rid of key personnel has almost certainly contributed to these numbers, Swann says. In my view, the most important aspect of this report is that the authors believe that early diagnosis leads to a higher survival rate, says Dr. Ciaran McNamee of Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Womens Hospital and Milford Hospital. This may account for the higher mortality rates in Alberta relative to the rest of western and central Canadathis is irrefutable evidence by an impartial third party review that Albertans suffer when it comes to cancer care. These are very troubling numbers, Swann says. They provide clear evidence that lung cancer treatment in Alberta, despite the presence of world-class facilities and surgeons, is lagging behind other provinces. The studys authors believe that early diagnosis increases the lung cancer survival rate. One of the studys authors, Dr. Tony Fields, is from Alberta. Attached: Lancet article The Alberta Liberal CaucusTheres a better way.
30

For more information contact: John Santos, Media Liaison (780) 904-5430 Brian Leadbetter, Director of Communications (780) 862-5661