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Experts Meet in Montreal to Beat Cervical Cancer:

Montreal Hosts National Public Health Summit Whose Goal is to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Canada.

When:	Tuesday, November 28th, 2006
Where:	Loews Hotel Vogue 1425 Rue De La Montagne, Montréal November 28th, 2006 Paris Ballroom
What:	A day-long forum of internationally renowned experts from across Canada and United States gathering for the first time to collaborate on key public health opportunities and challenges such as: Incorporating new and emerging technologies into prevention programs across Canada; Educating stakeholders about the disease and the virus (HPV) that causes it; Reaching underserved women.
Who:	The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the Health Leadership Institute of the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Medical Experts, Patient Advocates, Cancer Survivors, and Public Health Officials

Why This Summit, Why Now?

75% of Canadians will contract at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. That is three out of four people. And yet surveys show that most people have never heard of HPV, and most people are not aware that HPV can cause cervical cancer, as well as other forms of cancer.

The Threat of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Canadian women aged 20-44 after breast cancer. An estimated 1,400 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and over 400 will die from it.

“This Summit is driven by the widespread view that Cervical Cancer can be beaten, that we as health professionals and policy makers can make that happen in our lifetime,” said Dr. André Lalonde, Executive Vice-President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

Is Canada’s Health Care System Serving Canadian Women?

Currently in Canada, barriers exist to best practices and screening. “Effective cervical cancer prevention strategies must also include appropriate access to screening,” said Dr. André Lalonde, Executive Vice President of the SOGC.

The Pap test has helped to significantly reduce cervical cancer rates over the last 60 years. An HPV test approved by Health Canada is available and research shows that adding HPV testing to a Pap test in women aged 30 and older can increase a clinician's ability to identify women needing early intervention to 100 percent.

“Not only we do not have a screening program for cervical cancer in Quebec, but access to liquid-base cytology or HPV testing, two tests recognized to give better results than classic cytology, is limited to a private lab in Montreal. Therefore patients who have no insurance do not have access to the tests. Obviously, cervical cancer, a preventable disease, is not a priority in Québec.” said Dr. Michel Roy, gynecologist oncologist and Professor of Gynecology, University Laval.

New Science Brings New Opportunities: The HPV vaccine

GARDASIL™ was approved by Health Canada in July 2006. It is the first and only vaccine for girls and women aged 9-26 and studies show it is 100 percent effective at preventing disease from the HPV types that account for 70 percent of all cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. A second HPV vaccine against cervical cancer-causing HPV is expected to be available in Canada in the near future.

“In an ideal world, the province(s) should immunize girls in schools to ensure high coverage rates and equitable access regardless of their ability to pay. If we could immunize girls in schools, we would be protecting them against the most important cancer-producing strains of HPV as well as protecting them against genital warts." says Dr. Vyta Senikas, Associate Executive Vice President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Haymes, Coordinator, Communications and Public Education
Tel : (800) 561-2416 or (613) 730-4192 extension: 325
Fax: (613) 730-4314
Email: mhaymes@sogc.com Website: www.sogc.org

More information on HPV is available at:

About SOGC

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is one of Canada’s oldest national specialty organizations. Established in 1944, the Society’s mission is to promote excellence in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology and to advance the health of women through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, outreach and education. The SOGC represents obstetricians/gynaecologists, family physicians, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals working in the field of sexual reproductive health. For more information, visit www.sogc.org.