A call to action for a cancer prevention plan for Saskatchewan

As the Ministry and others build upon these strategies, further developing plans for the future direction of population health22 and the health sector23,24,29 in the province, cancer prevention needs to be one of the forefront approaches to consider in reducing health disparities and improving the health of the Saskatchewan people. [...] Within this call to action and proposal for discussion, stakeholders are challenged to reflect on: what cancer prevention means; cancer trends within Saskatchewan and ways to reduce the impact of cancer with currently available resources; the importance of prevention in cancer control; risk factors for cancer and its relationship with other chronic diseases and the determinants of health; the cost [...] The focus of this discussion paper is to provide a picture of the Saskatchewan landscape, the state of readiness for a provincial cancer prevention plan, a starting point and potential next steps, and essential partnerships for consideration in the development and implementation of a provincial cancer prevention plan. [...] Supporting information such as, definitions of prevention and cancer prevention, cancer trends in Saskatchewan, a review of the literature, and approaches and priorities for cancer prevention of other provinces and countries is found in the appendices. [...] The cancer prevention and health promotion objectives of the SCA, as outlined in the Strategic Plan 2008-2011,35 the Strategic Plan 2010-2011,36 the SCA 2010-11 Accountability document,37 and the Cancer Agency Act,38 are consistent with the disease prevention and health promotion objectives of the Ministry of Health22 and the Regional Health Authorities.