FRANCAIS

November 18, 2005

As part of Manitoba’s ongoing commitment to update diagnostic technology throughout the province, a replacement linear accelerator and treatment vault providing CancerCare Manitoba with state-of-the art equipment for cancer treatment was officially opened today by Health Minister Tim Sale.

A linear accelerator is a radiation therapy unit which uses high-energy X-ray or electron beams to destroy or shrink cancer cells.

"Between 1999 and 2005, wait times for cancer radiation treatment have fallen from six weeks to just under two weeks, in part due to capital investments in equipment and facilities," said Sale. "This government remains committed to making sure all Manitobans have access to quality health services and better care sooner, closer to home."

CancerCare Manitoba currently has six linear accelerators, one cobalt machine, a high-dose-rate brachytherapy unit and an ortho-voltage unit making up its Radiation Therapy Program.

"Expanding capacity by investments in facilities and staff is essential to combat the increasing challenge of cancer in the 21st century," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba. "This replacement keeps us on schedule and is most welcome."

In 1994-95 there were 30,852 radiation-therapy treatments. In 2004-2005 there were 43,722. This increase is due to a rise in cancer incidence and prevalence, as well as changes in treatment procedures. More than 63 per cent of all cancer patients referred to CancerCare Manitoba receive radiation therapy.

The new linear accelerator was purchased at a cost of $2.46 million while additional construction, rigging, software and hardware accessories required $440,000 for a total cost of $2.9 million. This linear accelerator was funded through the federal Medical and Diagnostic Equipment Fund.

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