How to have your say on Cancer Control

Public meetings will begin next week around the country so people can have their say on how to control this country's second leading cause of death - cancer.

Late last year the Ministry of Health released a discussion document: Towards a Cancer Control Strategy for New Zealand which sets out goals to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer.

Now the Ministry, which developed the strategy in partnership with the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust which was set-up with funding from the Cancer Society of New Zealand and Child Cancer Foundation, wants people's views on the document.

"Cancer is a considerable burden in this country. About 16,000 New Zealanders develop cancer each year, excluding skin cancer, and about 7500 will die from the disease," says Director of Public Health Dr Colin Tukuitonga.

"Cancer control involves a systematic and coordinated approach to all aspects of cancer, including prevention, screening where appropriate, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and support and palliative care. This can't be achieved without commitment and input from a wide range of Government, non-government, stakeholder organisations and the public," says Dr Tukuitonga.

"Consultation on this discussion document is designed to involve all those with an interest and involvement in the control of cancer. It aims to seek informed comment, highlight any gaps and identify which organisations should be actively involved in implementing the strategy."

Public forums, including hui and fono, will be held in Whangarei, Whakatane, Hamilton, Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Greymouth, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. If you wish to participate you can register your interest by phoning 0800 200 144 or by sending an email to: cancercontrol@moh.govt.nz

Copies of Towards a Cancer Control Strategy for New Zealand are available on the Ministry website:www.moh.govt.nz/cancercontrol and the Trust website: www.cancercontrol.org.nz

Written submissions are invited by March 14, 2003. Copies of the discussion document with enclosed submission booklet are also available from Wickliffe Press, P O Box 932, Dunedin (moh@wickliffe.co.nz; ph: 04 496 2277).

© Scoop Media