TheStar.com - A first — scientist to study how to prevent cancer
Apr. 24, 2006. 04:14 PM
CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER (CP) — British Columbia is providing $4 million in funding to the Canadian Cancer Society so an expert can research how the disease can be prevented — the first time in North America the issue will be targeted for study.

The research will be done at the University of British Columbia after an international search for an expert whose findings will influence national and international standards in public policy for cancer prevention.

Premier Gordon Campbell told a news conference Monday that research into cancer prevention is essential because currently someone in Canada dies from cancer every seven minutes.

“Understanding what we can do to prevent it, to reach into people’s lives and to get them to be part of that solution, is going to be critical,” he said about more promoting healthier lifestyles.

Dr. Gavin Stuart, dean of medicine at the university, said preventing cancer from striking in the first place is important because the existing health care system can’t sustain the cost of fighting the disease.

“To the best of our knowledge this is the first (expert) in primary cancer prevention, which is a very specific focus on not treating the disease better or detecting it earlier but actually understanding how we avoid ever getting there,” Stuart said.

“We cannot continue to treat disease without seeking to promote health and prevent the onset of disease.”
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