National Benchmarks

In September 2004, Canada’s First Ministers committed to improving access to health care by reducing wait times for five key service areas, including cancer care. We are working to ensure that New Brunswick meets or exceeds national benchmarks and targets for access to cancer services, as announced by provincial and territorial governments in December 2005.

In Canada, there is one recognized benchmark for wait times for cancer services, radiation therapy, and two recognized benchmarks for organized cancer screening programs, breast cancer and cervical cancer. New Brunswick reports on the benchmark for radiation therapy and the benchmark for organized breast cancer screening.

Benchmark - Radiation Therapy Wait Times

The nationally recognized benchmark for wait times for radiation therapy is that the patients will receive their first treatment within four weeks of being ready to treat. On a monthly basis, the New Brunswick Cancer Network reports the percentage of patients receiving their first radiation therapy treatment within this timeframe.

Benchmark - Breast Cancer Screening

The nationally recognized participation rate benchmark for breast cancer screening for women between the ages of 50 and 69 is 70%. That is based on mammograms conducted every two years. This is expected to reduce deaths from breast cancer by approximately 30%.

55% is the average participation rate of NB women between the ages of 50 and 69, who had a mammogram from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006. A provincial program is in place.

Benchmark - Cervical Cancer Screening

The nationally recognized benchmark for cervical cancer screening for women between the ages of 18 to 69 years old is to have a screening done every three years after two normal PAP tests.

Currently, cervical cancer prevention and screening is performed through health care providers in N.B.

Like other provinces, New Brunswick is moving towards more organized cervical cancer screening. The NBCN will utilize the experience of the cervical cancer screening Tele-Oncology pilot project which took place in four Regional Health Authorities (Beauséjour, Miramichi, Acadia-Bathurst, & Restigouche) in the development of an integrated cancer screening strategy for the province.