June 16, 2011 - Significant work continues by the Provincial Government to reduce the impact of cancer and improve access to all cancer care services in the province with the establishment of the Provincial Cancer Control Advisory Committee, a key direction of Gaining Ground: A Provincial Cancer Control Policy Framework for Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The appointment of members to the advisory committee furthers our commitment as a government to fully implement our Cancer Control Policy Framework,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “The aim of our provincial cancer control strategy, which we announced last year, is to promote cancer prevention, identify individuals at risk for cancer, coordinate care and increase access to supports and services. The members of the advisory committee have diverse backgrounds and bring with them their own experiences with cancer. Their advice and expertise will be invaluable as our government continues to enhance access to cancer care throughout the province.”

The members of the advisory committee are:

•Dr. Pradip Ganguly, Divisional Chief of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Health and chair of the committee;

•Bruce Cooper, Deputy Minister, Department of Health and Community Services;

•Katherine Chubbs, Vice-president of Cancer Care, Eastern Health;

•Dr. Michael Zuckerman, Vice-president of Medical Services, Central Health;

•Dr. Susan Gillam, Chief Executive Officer, Western Health;

•Boyd Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, Labrador-Grenfell Health;

•Dr. James Rourke, Dean of the School of Medicine, Memorial University;

•Matthew Piercey, Executive Director, Canadian Cancer Society – Newfoundland and Labrador Division;

•Geoff Eaton, Executive Director, Young Adult Cancer Canada;

•Rosemary Hedderson, cancer survivor;

•Margot Reid, volunteer and Honorary Life Member, Canadian Cancer Society; and,

•Dr. Thomas Costello, family physician.


The Provincial Cancer Control Advisory Committee will advise the Minister of Health and Community Services on priorities for action and progress, development and implementation of the provincial cancer control strategy. The committee may also be asked to consult with the cancer control community, both provincially and nationally, including patients, survivors, advocates and community organizations. The committee may also identify for the minister’s consideration additional evidence-based objectives or priority directions that have the potential to improve the control of cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The impacts of a cancer diagnosis are multiple and far-reaching, affecting not only the patient, but relatives and friends of the individual,” said Minister Kennedy. “Our government recognizes that burden and in the last eight years we have invested $133 million in cancer prevention and treatment. Our commitment is clearly evident and our establishment of an advisory committee furthers the important work in this area in our province.”

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides funding to enhance cancer treatment in the province. The Provincial Government has committed a further $17.8 million for the expansion of the PET/CT cyclotron project. This initiative will see the consolidation of nuclear medicine services at one site and infrastructure for future expansion of the cancer care program, which will increase the total project cost to approximately $29.8 million. Budget 2011 also provides a record investment of $2.9 billion in health care to enhance access to programs and services across the province.

For More Information Contact :
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca