The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is once again asking questions of the parties and candidates during the Prince Edward Island election campaign; their responses can be found in this section.
We hope that this information will help you when you direct your concerns to your provincial representatives.
To become involved in CCSN’s political advocacy campaigns, please contact jmanthorne@survivornet.ca
Questions:
Over 191,300 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer every year, including 900 people in Prince Edward Island. Approximately 370 Islanders die of cancer each year. Clearly, this life-threatening illness affects entire communities, especially families, friends and co-workers.
The government of Prince Edward Island has an important role to play in making sure that everyone diagnosed with cancer has timely access to cancer care and essential medical services as well as access to emergency rooms and the treatment and medications they need.
We invite political parties and/or candidates to respond to the following questions related to cancer care and healthcare in Prince Edward Island. Responses will be circulated to cancer patients and survivors in Prince Edward Island, included on our website, www.survivornet.ca, and posted on our social media.
1. The Canadian Medical Association Journal published research in 2012 that showed one in ten Canadians report they skip doses or decide not to fill prescriptions because of cost, with the second highest incidence of cost non adherence happening in the Atlantic Provinces.[1] If elected to government, what will your party do to make prescription medications more affordable?
2. A key element of ensuring timely treatment for a cancer patient is ensuring they have access to the medications they need at the time they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in Prince Edward Island. If elected to government, will you:
a) Commit to ensuring that all cancer patients in Prince Edward Island receive timely access to medications at the time they need it?
b) Undertake negotiations leading to regional collaboration to ensure timely patient access to cancer drugs?
3. Many Islanders are concerned about the link between cancer and pesticide use in the agricultural industry. If elected to government, what will your party do to address this issue?
We thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
Jackie Manthorne
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
[1] http://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/3/297.full.pdf+html?sid=e22b2cf9-8516-4a8d-88f0-d24cf47971d4
PEI Green Party Response
PEI New Democratic Party Response
Dear Ms. Manthorne:
Thank you for you insightful note.
With good reason many islanders are concerned about the high incidence of cancers here, especially those that appear to be associated with bad land stewardship and water management practices. The NDP PEI will ban the use of cosmetic pesticides island-wide and will work with farmers to support the best land stewardship practices.
No cancer patient should be without needed medications or treatment either because they are not readily available or because they are not covered by the provincial drug formulary. Your idea of partnering with regions and other provinces to get a better and more predictable supply of medications for cancer patients is excellent and an NDP PEI government would adopt this approach immediately.
Guided by the NDP Health Accord which features effective community engagement as a primary pillar, NDP MLAs will be open, constructive and effective in protecting and promoting the health and wellness of every Islander.
Thank you for raising these concerns with me and be assured action , as you suggest, will be a priority for an NDP provincial government.
Mike Redmond