Debates of February 10, 2006 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are a relatively small territory with a small population. As I related in my Member’s statement today, so many of us have had people who have been close to us who have been touched with cancer. One of the questions that I often get as an MLA is whether or not the rates of cancer are actually higher in the Northwest Territories than they are in the rest of this country. My understanding has been that they are not. Perhaps it is just that the closeness with which our small community here operates that we just tend to hear about it more often.

For the record, and for people who have made this inquiry of me many times, I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, do we have a higher than national average in our rates of cancer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member, for the most part, is correct. Historically, cancer rates in the Northwest Territories have been lower than the national average. They are, however, on the increase and moving towards the national average. I don’t have the specific statistics right before me, but if my memory serves me correctly, for example, the issue of colorectal cancer is not at, or slightly above the national average. For the most part, a lot of the cancers are still below the national average but moving up. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 382-15(4): Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are a small territory, but do we have any kind of in house capacity to do an analysis of why those rates are moving higher? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 382-15(4): Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of work done on what causes the various cancers. Very clearly, in many cases, the cancers come back to some very fundamental basic issues that I have raised in this House before. They come back to the diet, exercise, smoking and drinking as things that are very significant in causing heart and lung problems, kidney problems, liver problems, all sorts of circulatory problems. So there are some very fundamental basic issues there that contribute to the cancers and diabetes. That evidence is clear. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 382-15(4): Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe it is just the age that I am at and the fact that I am a female, but one type of cancer that seems to be very noticeable and prevalent in the North here is breast cancer. Almost in every kind of cancer, including breast cancer, early diagnosis seems to be the key to being cured and having a good chance of a good outcome and prognosis for survival. Mr. Speaker, where are we with our mobile mammogram program and access for women in the Northwest Territories to detection through mammograms? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 382-15(4): Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member raises a very good point. Mammography services are available in Yellowknife. Women get referred here. As well, in the South Slave area, there have been arrangements made with Alberta with their mobile mammography equipment to come through the communities. That is, as well, still available. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 382-15(4): Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister describe any other initiatives that are underway out there in the communities creating awareness about signs and early diagnosis of breast cancer? South Slave and Yellowknife, that is great. We have mammography services, but there are a whole lot of remote communities out there where people are a long ways away from there. We need to create awareness. What is being done on that front? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 382-15(4): Cancer Rates In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a considerable amount of work being done with the nurses and the public health through the authorities to make individuals aware of the benefits of regular checkups which is one of the fundamental first steps not only in the case of breast cancer, but for others as well to get the regular checkups to check out specific concerns. As well, there are posters and such that are out there to encourage ladies to get checked and go to their local health station. If there are any signs of issues, they will make arrangements for referrals. Thank you.