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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-26, Page 51HOPE page 20 Ontario Foundation builds world refutation... 44 from page 17 vince were being made available to cancer patients. In January 1959, the cost of treating hospitalized patients receiving radiotherapy at the Foundation's regional treatment centres began to be covered by the Ontario Hospital Services Commission. To an increasing degree through the Foun- dation's transportation program, its hostels and regional treatment centres covering the province, cancer treatment now was available across Ontario. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE In May 1962 the Foundation drew on its considerable expertise and experience to present a brief to a Royal Commission on Health Services. It recommended ''an in- crease in research grants by the federal and provincial governments, a continuation of the centralization of cancer treatment ser- vices, a growth of cancer hostels and an in- creased output of radiotherapists in the pro- vince's medical schools in concert with the Ontario Cancer Insitutt and the Founda- tions clinics. The brief noted that many "very well trained British radiotherapists" had immigrated to Canada to enter that pro- fession here. Clinical conferences on cancer of specific sites were begun in 1964 in Windsor and were held annually until 1968 since when they have been held every two years, alter- nating with the clinical research con- ferences. On September 13 and 14, 1967, the Foundation held its first clinical cancer research conference at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching. These conferences quickly became a major forum for the review of cancer treatment and research and so it continues today.. In 1970, the responsibility for cancer records, reporting and statistics was transferred from the Cancer Statistics Sec- tion of the Research and Planning Branch of the Ministry of Health, in which these rapsraib:lities-hael- een-reste f-ro ^-6, to the Foundation's head office. Dr. A.H. Sellers had been head of the statistical unit since 1936, with a break for wartime service. He transferred to the Foundation bringing with him almost 40 years of experience in charting the course of cancer data manage- ment and the influence of various treatments. The Division of Epidemiology and Statistics was established so that the oc- currence of cancer in Ontario could be studied, using the accumulated cancer records acquired by the Foundation over the years. Throughout its history, the Foundation has'heen supported by the people of Ontario, sometimes with extraordinary generosity. In 1969, the estate of Mrs. Isabella Arlow of Toronto bequeathed to the Foundation more than $900,000, the largest bequest received to that time. While the bequest was huge, it was only one of thousands to come from peo- ple anxious to help in the battle against cancer. In 1973, chemotherapy as a form of treat- ment had come of age. The Foundation clines were beginning to feel the strains of heavier workloads because of increasing de- mand for chemotherapy and the shortage of radiotherapists. This shortage was, and con- tinues to be, a major problem throughout North America The 1970s marked another period of ex- pansion for theregional treatment centres, with new clinic space ad4ed ip Kingston, Ot- tawa, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor. . In 1977, a block grant of $2 million from the Provincial Lottery funds came as "a shot in the arm" for the Foundation's research programs. In this year, 58 new research projects were added to those already underway in the Ontario Cancer In- stitute, the medical _schools and,, in the clinics. Years of research were beginning to pay off: the 1977 Foundation annual publication stated that 10 cancers were considered curable by the new methods of chemotherapy. Some of the research workers smpported by the Foundation had pioneered the development of some of these agents. The year 1978 brought to a close one of the longest careers within the Foundation and the cancer establishment in Ontario. James Harold Broughton, dubbed "Mister Founda- tion" in the annual publication, retired as its Secretary Treasurer. He had held the post since June 1946, three years after this body's formal beginning. Mr.. Broughton is still ac- tive and, working with Dr. A.H. Sellers, is preparing a detailed history of the organiza- tion. The Foundation entered the 1980s with a new clinic, Toronto -Bayview at the Sun- nybrook Medical Centre and plans to ex- pand its other regional treatment centres. In addition, the Foundation is exploring, with the Ontario Cancer Institute, the development of a system of community cancer units across Ontario. - The 1980s present the Foundation with a long list of problems: some are the familiar ones of shortages of space, of funds and of professionals 'such as radiation and medical oncologists. It is hoped tfiat programs of fellowships and traineeships for physicists will encourage young, scientists to follow in the footsteps of Dr._ Harold Johns (one of the designers of the Cobalt bomb") and his distinguished colleagues. In the technical areas, the Foundation faces mounting costs and limited access of patients to equipment such as CT scanners. The Foundation itself has developed a pro- posal to obtain a computerized information system to serve both the clinics and the On- tario Cancer Registry - the key component, which keeps track of cancer statistics and patients. Other problems concern the development of surgical and pediatric oncology, the pro- vision of the highest possible quality of life during active treatment of patients, and the provision of palliative care to patients for whom cure is no longer possible. Apart from all the day-to-day and year-to- year problems of organization, equipment and shortages, the Foundation supports the efforts of the Ontario Division of the Cana- dian Cancer Society to educate the public in cancer prevention. There are five areas in which cancer prevention might be concen- trated: cigarette smoking, diet, occupa- tional exposure, alcohol excess, and popula- tion screening to find cancer in preliminary stages, Each one of these areas presents the Foundation with yet another world to con- quer. The past 41 years have brought extraor- dinary changes in the battle against cancer and have brought to Ontario an organization which is a full partner in the international community of cancer specialists. For most cancer sites in Ontario, the specific death rates are stable (breast, in- testines) or decreasing slightly (cervix, stomach). The major exception is lung cancer which continues to increase sharply for both sexes. For males, the age-specific cancer death rates continue to increase for all age groups 50 years and over.. For females, the age-specific cancer death rates have declined in most age groups from 1945. The battle is far fromover: the enemy is still at least as well armed as the allies. But the Ontario Cancer Foundation has shown it can win victories. And each year, the seven clinics of the Foundation offer treatment and support to 11,000 new patients, •TIRELESS RESEARCH •PROVISION OF THE LATEST DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT EQUIPMENT *CONSTANT TRAINING IN NEW TECHNIQUES !PUBLIC EDUCATION •AWARENESS OF LIVING PATTERNS THAT TEND TO INCREASE RISKS OF CANCER •KNOWLEDGE OF ''EARLY WARNING SIGNS" •ASSISTANCE TO CANCER PATIENTS Efforts and meaningful results in all these areas constantly renew the Canadian Cancer Society's simple reassurance: "CANCER CAN BE BEATEN". �p ;*leaptie5 0 .ro.mme id and support the work of the Society and their dedicated staff and volunteers and to solicit your continued support of their work. ALEXANDRA MARINE & GENERAL HOSPITAL, GODERICH CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH HURON HOSPITAL, EXETER WINGHAM & DISTRICT HOSPITAL.