FRANCAIS

September 15, 2003

Health Minister Dave Chomiak today announced the tendering of a new prostate centre to be built at CancerCare Manitoba at an estimated overall project cost of more than $2.5 million.

Chomiak, making the announcement during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, said the centre will be a significant investment in the battle against prostate cancer.

"This centre will provide additional support to Manitoba men afflicted with prostate cancer, as well as their loved ones," said the minister. "We share in the excitement of seeing this project move forward."

The new centre will focus on the treatment of prostate cancer and will provide more effective and better treatment outcomes. It will include a wide range of services ranging from technological innovations to educational materials.

"Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in men in Manitoba and the second leading cause of death," said Chomiak. "With today’s tender announcement, we are taking another step toward increasing our treatment success rates for prostate cancer in Manitoba."

"The centre will improve CancerCare Manitoba’s ability to facilitate a provincewide, integrated approach to the timely diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, which will benefit men living with this disease," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba. Dhaliwal noted that, in Manitoba, about 4,800 men are living with prostate cancer and the number of new cases increases by about three per cent every year.

Manitoba Health has made significant improvements in the education and treatment of prostate cancer in Manitoba, including:

• A $100,000 prostate awareness campaign in partnership with CancerCare Manitoba and the Manitoba Prostate Cancer Support Group.
• A pilot project to implement 3D conformal radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer patients.
• A $1.3 million prostate brachytherapy program that provided $769,000 to operate the program and more than $570,000 for upgraded equipment. The brachytherapy program provides a less invasive method of treatment than surgery.
• Fifty per cent reductions in wait times for radiation therapy, as a result of retaining and recruiting radiation therapists and investing in linear accelerators.

The new Prostate Centre is part of the Manitoba government’s plan to build on the fundamentals of a publicly funded health care system that includes investing in medical equipment, hospitals, personal care homes and other facilities needed to operate a modern health care system.

The construction tender is open until mid-October.

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