World Cancer Day

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On this World Cancer Day, let us recognize the contribution of the Grey Nuns of Montreal to cancer care.

In 1939, a cancer diagnosis and treatment clinic was opened at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan. With 40 beds, 723 patients were admitted and 2400 examinations were performed in the first year.

In Montreal, the Institut du Radium (1922-1967), founded by the University of Montreal in 1922, was administered by the Grey Nuns from 1927. It was the first cancer treatment center in Quebec and during its existence 67,000 patients were treated.

Source: L073, Regina Grey Nuns’ Hospital, Public House, 1944
Source: L073, Regina Grey Nuns’ Hospital, Deep Therapy Treatment Room, 1944
Source: L073, Regina Grey Nuns’ Hospital, Cancer Clinic waiting room, 1944
Source: L092, Radium Institute, Electrotherapy room, 1954