The provincial government announced details Friday of a $40 million program focused on reducing wait times and streamlining cancer services.
"This important new initiative will ensure Manitoba patients have access to faster cancer testing, diagnosis and treatment by reducing the time for the entire patient journey to two months or less," said Premier Greg Selinger.
The program will address the timeline from when a patient's family doctor first suspects cancer through to the delivery of treatment, said Selinger.
CancerCare Manitoba said that full timeline is currently estimated at taking between three to nine months.
As part of the program, patients will be guaranteed an appointment with a specialist within two weeks or less for urgent referrals, said the province.
A rapid diagnostic network will be set up for cancer patients to "better link and speed up diagnostic imaging and pathology," said the province.
Advocates will also be introduced to help and monitor cancer patients and families, along with identifying issues and delays.
Jeff Cook is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer after noticing a lump.
"Fortunately, the urologist reacted quickly and I had surgery within two days of seeing him," said Cook.
In 2007, however, his sister Jean lost her battle with colorectal cancer.
Cook said his sister encountered delays in her medical treatment.
"It was just the hurry up and wait," said Cook.
Cook said his sister might have had a different outcome if she had been treated more quickly.
He hopes the new program in Manitoba will mean other families won't be left with similar questions about outcomes.
The province's new program resembles ones put into place in New Zealand, England and Australia.
Each year, more than 6,000 Manitobans are diagnosed with cancer, said provincial officials.
- with a report from CTV's Karen Rocznik
