Meghan Hansford says gender-based violence is a societal disease akin to cancer, and officials are focusing on treatments, but the smarter approach would be to turn their gaze to prevention.

"We need to prevent the cancer from happening, before the crisis and before it's too late," she said Tuesday at Province House.

Hansford, who has a PhD in family violence intervention and prevention, was among a panel of advocates and experts on gender-based violence invited to speak at the legislature's heal…