Mr. Speaker, April is Cancer Awareness Month. An estimated 129,000 new cases of cancer and 62,700 deaths from cancer occurred in 1998.
The most frequently diagnosed cancers are breast cancer and prostate cancer. The incidence of breast cancer has risen steadily over the past decade but the mortality rate has been slightly decreasing.
Early detection techniques are responsible for our progress in beating cancer. Cancer can be beaten. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death among men and women. Keeping Canadian youth and children from smoking is the most effective cancer prevention.
My past involvement with the Canadian Cancer Society makes me proud to extend a special thanks to all volunteers. Let us give generously when the Canadian Cancer Society knocks on our door. We can achieve our goals through research, education, patient services and advocacy for healthy public policy. Cancer can be beaten.