Stories of advocacy
Backed by thousands of letters from concerned Canadians, three teams of delegates took to Parliament Hill earlier this month. Each was comprised of a researcher, a woman living with ovarian cancer, and a member of the Ovarian Cancer Canada team.
Nearly 230,000 women around the world are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. According to figures recently released by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, this number is expected to rise by 55 per cent by the year 2035. The projected increase is largely attributed to the aging population, as those 50 and older are at higher risk for developing ovarian cancer.
Advocates pressing for increased government investments in ovarian cancer research are searching for answers following the announcement of Budget 2018. While the Standing Committee on Finance recommended ovarian cancer for funding consideration, nothing was specifically earmarked to support scientific progress in this area.
Last year members of the community continued to step up advocacy efforts to draw attention to the need for ovarian cancer research funding. Many people met with their elected officials and wrote letters to urge support. But the call for $10 million in added investment from the federal government has yet to be answered.
Today the genetic test information of people in Canada is protected by the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (Bill S-201), which became law in May 2017. While Canada was the last of the G7 countries to have this legal protection in place, the legislation was not without its opponents. In fact, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act may still be referred to the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether it should fall under federal or provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Already the Government of Quebec has directed its Minister of Justice to file a reference before the Court of Appeal.
In the days leading up to World Ovarian Cancer Day; researchers, women living with ovarian cancer, and others involved in providing care and support took to Parliament Hill. They were there to inform decision makers about the shortage in funding for ovarian cancer research in Canada.
A petition circulated last year calling on government for an immediate and additional $10 million investment in ovarian cancer research to advance work in prevention and treatment.
On International Women’s Day, Bill S-201 (the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act) was passed in the House of Commons. Unfortunately, however, the situation now stands in jeopardy as the Liberal government recently signalled their intent to challenge the constitutionality of the bill in the Supreme Court.
Having received an initial diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2006, Donna Pepin is currently facing recurrence. But she refuses to let her diagnosis get in the way of her making a difference as an advocate for the cause.
An ongoing shortfall in research funding has stalled scientific progress on ovarian cancer. Though the disease continues to claim hundreds of Canadian lives each year, government has provided little in the way of support.