Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Last week I was talking with a constituent who had concerns about aboriginal elders. He thought that too many elders are diagnosed with cancer too late for them to benefit from treatment. There have been, in the past, cases of an elder living a very healthy lifestyle, who came to the health clinic in a very bad state. He was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in less than two weeks. It was a terrible shock for the family and the community.
Treatments for cancer have improved a great deal over the years. If there had been some kind of screening process to identify this elder’s illness, with treatment he would have likely enjoyed many more good years. However, being diagnosed so late, he didn’t have a chance.
We have very good health services in the Northwest Territories and we strive to make it better. We need to ensure that elders have information about recognizing signs that might be indicators of cancer. It is important that they receive this information in their own language as well, Mr. Speaker.
If we’re able to reach elders in communities to ensure that they are screened for cancer, it would help. Early detection has proven to reduce death rates. For example, colorectal cancer screening programs can reduce death rates by 15 to 33 percent.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss not to mention the joint efforts of North Cariboo Air or the pilot Steve Malesku and our health services in Fort Liard who have offered and donated flights to Yellowknife for breast cancer scans.
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These are the types of efforts we need to make sure that if an elder has cancer, it is detected early and it may be treatable. This could be done with an annual visit of a medical team holding a clinic specifically for elders and other people at risk. The clinic could be promoted and efforts made to get people to attend. At that time, it should be possible to complete testing or at least schedule testing. This is just one suggestion for ensuring our elders get the individual care they deserve.
I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services to develop a strategy to ensure that elders have the opportunity to be screened for cancer so that they can receive their rightful benefits to our health care system. Mr. Speaker, I will engage the Minister in a discussion of this matter during question period. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
