Item - 2024.HL17.1

The Board of Health:

1. Requested the Ministry of Health to:

a. Improve access for local public health units, including Toronto Public Health, to sociodemographic data to monitor and address disparities in cancer risk factors, screening rates and treatment outcomes;

b. Work across the health care system to expand hepatitis B vaccination coverage, sterile needle distribution to reduce transmission of hepatitis C, testing of hepatitis B and C for greater detection, and treatment to decrease the transmission of these infectious diseases linked to cancer;

c. Strengthen and expand the Smoke Free Ontario Act and related regulations to ensure the regulations and enforcement mechanisms for tobacco use, retail and promotions are also applied to vapour products, newer and emerging nicotine products like nicotine pouches, and waterpipe and hookah smoking;

d. Strengthen and expand the Smoke Free Ontario Act and related regulations to reduce tobacco and vapour product retail density and proximity to schools;

e. Monitor the health impacts of recent alcohol policy amendments related to use, sales, and promotion including expanded retail availability, retail density, pricing, and marketing, and adjust policy accordingly to advance the overall health of the population;

f. Develop and implement a comprehensive cancer prevention awareness and education campaign in Ontario to increase action to reduce modifiable cancer risks; for example, promote the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health to reduce cancer risk factors associated with alcohol consumption; and 

g. Increase access to HPV vaccination by expanding free-of-charge coverage to reduce the risks of HPV-related cancers. 

2. Directed the Medical Officer of Health to report to the April 1, 2025 Board of Health meeting with recommendations and strategies to reduce occupational and environmental related cancers in Toronto.

The Acting Director, Community Health and Wellbeing, Toronto Public Health and the Associate Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation on Toronto Public Health Initiatives to Prevent Cancer.

Cancer is a large group of diseases where some of the body’s cells grow and divide uncontrollably, spreading into surrounding tissues. There are more than 200 types of cancer. Cancer is a leading cause of death in Ontario and Toronto. In Toronto, the most common types of new cancer cases diagnosed each year are breast cancer (among females) and prostate cancer (among males). The highest annual rate of mortality by type of cancer is lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer. The causes of cancer vary. Some cancers can be prevented, and the risk of others can be lowered.

Every day, Toronto Public Health works to protect and promote population health in our city by implementing interventions and policies that advance healthier environments and behaviours. Toronto Public Health applies a population health approach to cancer prevention that focuses on improving community health through broad, systemic initiatives. Key interventions include vaccinating to prevent infectious diseases associated with cancer risk; promoting healthy eating and physical activity; reducing harms associated with substance use including tobacco and alcohol; and advancing healthy social, natural, and built environments that support healthy behaviours. Toronto Public Health also works with community partners to promote and disseminate evidence-informed resources and communications to strengthen collective action on cancer prevention and promotion of protective behaviours. This approach is designed to address and mitigate risk factors at a community level to reduce incidence of cancer.

In parallel, health care focuses on the individual through cancer screening and clinical care. Cancer screening aims to detect cancer early in individuals who may not yet have symptoms and clinical care provides personalized treatment for those diagnosed with cancer. Social determinants of health are linked to prevalence of cancer risk factors and delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment, which worsen prognosis. Together public health and health care work to reduce the incidence and impacts of cancer.