2023 PEI Election Campaign

Below are the questions we have posed to PEI Candidates running in the election. Find their responses below!

Question 1: Lung Cancer Screening 

While the PEI Cancer Action Plan 2023-2028 discusses breast cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, and pap tests and cervical cancer screening, there is no mention of a lung cancer screening program being developed. And yet lung cancer is diagnosed more frequently in PEI (an estimated 170 cases in 2022) and causes more deaths (115 in 2022) than any other cancer.

Lung cancer screening can help find lung cancer early, when treatment has a better chance of working. Low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans search the lung cancer as well as other lung diseases. Early detection using low-dose CT scanning has been shown to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 per cent.

Several provinces have created permanent lung cancer screening programs (Ontario) or are engaging in pilot projects (Quebec, Alberta). British Columbia, with its Lung Cancer Screening Program’s 32 screening sites covering the entire province, is an example of a successful program.

If elected, will your government:

  1. Create a lung cancer screening program that covers the entire province?
  2. Provide access in this program for at risk individuals who do not currently or have never smoked, specifically including those who are determined to have incidental pulmonary nodules?

Question 2

In Prince Edward Island, women with dense breasts do not have access to essential supplemental screening, such as ultrasound, which can help to find breast cancer early. Dense breasts make it harder for radiologists to spot cancer because both cancer and dense tissue appear white on a mammogram. A masking effect is created. For women with dense breasts, mammograms are not enough. It has been known for over 25 years that ultrasound can find many of the cancers that are missed on mammograms when they are still small and have not spread to lymph nodes.  Early detection of breast cancer means a better prognosis for PEI women, less aggressive treatment, and better quality of life.

If elected, will your government:

  1. Ensure supplemental breast screening for women with Category C and D breast density?

Question 3

Many Islanders are concerned about the link between cancer and pesticide use in the agricultural industry.

If elected,

  1. What steps will your government take to address this issue?

 

Question 1 response:

The Green Party recognizes the importance of early interventions to reduce illness and improve long-term outcomes. The Green Party would work to ensure a lung cancer screening program is available to Islanders, building off the experience and successes of other provinces. We would also look to ensure all at-risk individuals have access to this program.

Question 2 response:

A Green Government would not interfere in medical decisions but would allow medical professionals to determine the best course of action for their patients. We support giving our medical professionals as many tools and options as possible for improving the health of Islanders.

Question 3 response:

A Green government would partner with the agricultural industry to promote the responsible use of pesticides, which we believe is a shared interest of the agricultural sector and the public. We support initiatives to reduce the use of pesticides, including Integrated Pest Management, introduction of low-input crop varieties (e.g. “Prospect” potatoes), low- or no-till agriculture, and organic production. We would also work with the Chief Public Health Office to ensure there is timely reporting and education on cancer rates and risks on PEI.

Hi Jackie,

Thank you so much for your email and your interest in this campaign. I have met two individuals at the door already who were open about their journey with cancer right now and I imagine others who didn’t share it with me. Thank you for the hope you provide to folks as they face a scary and life-changing diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan. I know how valuable peer support and peer advocacy has been in my work with mental health and chronic illness, as well as my own experiences with the same.

I believe you were sent responses from the Green Party of PEI regarding the questions you have posed. I am happy to share these again with you if you would like or if they weren’t received.

Thanks again for reaching out and for the important work you do.

Sincerely,

Tayte