Cancer care in Northwestern Ontario took top marks in the province according to an annual quality report.
The annual Cancer Quality Council of Ontario report that ranked and measured cancer programs all across the province released its findings on Wednesday. The report takes into consideration more than 30 indicators when they rank a program.
Thunder Bay’s cancer program ranked one of the top four out of 14 programs in Ontario. The Waterloo and Wellington area took the number one spot.
The Cancer Centre remained strong in cancer surgery, treatment, radiation treatment for oncology, referrals and systemic treatment while areas to improve included prevention and screening.
Outgoing Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute CEO Michael Power said he’d give the Cancer Centre an “A-minus” for having met or exceeded provincial standards.
“Northwestern Ontario once again did exceptionally well,” Power said.
“We’re a top performer and we have been for the better part of the last decade. We finished first several times over the past 10 years in terms of overall performance.”
Thunder Bay has consistently remained in last place for preventing cancers but Power said that’s because people in the Northwest smoke more, drink more and aren’t living as actively as they should be.
Last fall the Cancer Centre released the Regional Cancer Plan Three that outlines strategies and goals in order to try and prevent some of these cancers from happening.
Power said the centre’s breast screening program was leading the pack in Ontario and because of that more woman are surviving their diagnosis than any other region. But compared to colon cancer screening, Thunder Bay has one of the lowest rates for people using the program.
Because of that, he said colon cancer diagnostic rates are lower.
Having given his final media conference as the TBRRI CEO, Power said while he’s stepping down from his position he’ll continue to be active in the cancer care community and knows the organizations he’s leaving behind are in good hands.
“I started in the Cancer Care program in 1997, which interestingly enough was when Cancer Care Ontario was created,” he said.
“It’s been a great ride. I’ve been a part of a phenomenal team. I’m confident as I depart at 6 p.m. tonight that the leadership here won’t skip a beat.”
