At some point in our lives we are all touched by cancer. To respond to the burden of cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador the Provincial Government has made many advancements.

Gaining Ground: The Cancer Control Policy Framework

Gaining Ground: A Provincial Cancer Control Policy Framework for Newfoundland and Labrador was released on November 2, 2010. This Framework outlines the Provincial Government’s response to the burden of cancer in the province and provides a foundation upon which government, the regional health authorities and community-based organizations can build specific action plans with a strategic focus on advancing and improving cancer control in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal of the Framework is to provide key policy directions that will be used to guide cancer control efforts in the province in the coming years:

1. Cancer Prevention Through Promoting a Healthy Population
2. Identifying Individuals at Risk
3. Coordinating Care
4. Supportive and Palliative Care
5. Clinical Practice Guidelines
6. Access and Advocacy
7. Surveillance and Information Systems and Technology
8. Education and Training
9. Accountability and Measuring Success

Cancer Control Initiatives

On March 19, 2015, the Minister of Health and Community Services provided an update on the Cancer Control Policy Framework. Achievements under the Framework include:

• Funding the Cancer Patient Navigators Program
• Launching the Provincial Colon Cancer Screening Program
• Expanding the Provincial Breast Screening Program
• Supporting the Provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives.
• Preventing tanning bed use by young people, through the Personal Services Act
• Increasing capacity for radiation therapy at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre
• Preparing for a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanner for the province
• Adding new cancer treatment medications to the NL Prescription Drug Program
• Establishing the Provincial Cancer Control Advisory Committee
• Providing funding to community partners in cancer control, such as:
  • Canadian Cancer Society, Newfoundland and Labrador Division
  • Young Adult Cancer Canada
  • Alliance for the Control of Tobacco
  • The NL Smokers’ Helpline

For more information, please visit:

• Canadian Cancer Society
• Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control
• Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software can be used for viewing PDF documents. Download Acrobat® Reader for free