Nunavut first began offering oncology services in-territory in July 2022, when an Iqaluit doctor, a team of physicians from The Ottawa Hospital and the Indigenous Cancer Care Program came up with a plan.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have not, in the past, given any chemo[therapy] drugs in the territory,SA国际影视传媒� Dr. Francois de Wet, territorial chief of staff of physician services said. SA国际影视传媒淲e had no oncology [physicians] on staff, or internal medicine [doctors].SA国际影视传媒�

Before July 2022, Nunavut patients seeking treatment for cancer had to be flown south, usually to Ottawa. There were issues with this approach that affected treatment, as doctors noted that not only were patients reluctant to be fully open about their conditions in case it meant a longer stay, but they were also separated from their support systems, home environments and communities SA国际影视传媒� all of which are critical in the recovery process.

Subsequently, Dr. Patty DeMaio of IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 Qikitani Hospital came up with the idea of piloting a program in a clinic based in NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 capital. She pitched the idea to her colleagues at The Ottawa Hospital: Dr. Marc Gaudet, Tim Asmis and Perry Gaudet, who looked at the number of patients from Nunavut undergoing treatment in Ottawa, and felt there were enough to justify a clinic in Iqaluit.

The drug Herceptin was used, which has multiple applications but is generally to treat breast cancer. A form of the drug can be administered under the skin. The results of the experimental clinic were that patients were very happy to be treated in-territory, and the pilot program was a success.

A similar form of the drug SA国际影视传媒� Cepgo, was then also tried SA国际影视传媒� now that a protocol for mixing and administering the pharmaceuticals had already been adopted. Last fall, the program was expanded to add a third drug: Pembro. In addition to three drugs now being administered to patients, the program has expanded to a total of three communities, including Pangnirtung and Pond Inlet, based on need and SA国际影视传媒渆nough people to make the clinic a good thing.SA国际影视传媒�

In May 2023, de Wet, other medical colleagues and deputy minister of Health Megan Hunt, whom de Wet describes as SA国际影视传媒渆xtremely supportive of the program,SA国际影视传媒� held a conference in Iqaluit to discuss SA国际影视传媒渨here we want to be over the next couple of yearsSA国际影视传媒� in terms of expanding cancer treatment options in the territory. Although there has been exciting changes and growth in terms of treatment options, there are still several large infrastructure obstacles the program faces before expanding further.

SA国际影视传媒淧art of the challenge is space,SA国际影视传媒� de Wet acknowledges.

Qikiqtani Hospital recently added a gynecology and psychiatry department, however, there is currently no pharmacist available in territory to mix and administer the appropriate drugs. Additionally, a larger clinic or department would require equipment, staff and housing that currently do not exist, although strides are being made and discussions are being had to address these problems.

SA国际影视传媒淭hose things are currently being investigated,SA国际影视传媒� says de Wet, who also mentioned doctors from Nunavut who are working towards attaining an oncology certificate that would allow them to practice and treat cancer patients.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat we would like to see are satellite cancer-care clinics from Ottawa, spaces in the territory where [treatment] can be administered safely,SA国际影视传媒� says de Wet. SA国际影视传媒淲e are still a long way at this point. The main drive is to make sure we can deliver [treatment] safely,SA国际影视传媒� he emphasizes. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e looking years down the road, but the vision is to have a cancer-care centre similar to Ottawa available in Iqaluit.SA国际影视传媒�

At the moment, however, de Wet believes itSA国际影视传媒檚 more important to focus on the administration of cancer-fighting drugs in Nunavut.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 positive,SA国际影视传媒� he says of the program. SA国际影视传媒淲e definitely want to move this [program forward], and weSA国际影视传媒檝e got amazing support from OttawaSA国际影视传媒� as well as the minister for Health, John Main. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 been a great support as well.SA国际影视传媒�