Cancer Journey
Improving the cancer experience for Canadians
In 2011, an estimated 177,8001 Canadians will be newly diagnosed with cancer. Such a diagnosis affects the individual, as well as their family and friends, as they face the ongoing challenges of learning about and living with the disease. Beyond the initial emotional impact, those diagnosed with cancer must navigate a complex care system, consider treatment options, cope with psychosocial and practical concerns, and then address quality of life issues following active treatment.
Given these vast and varied challenges, there are many opportunities to improve how the cancer system addresses these experiences, and to enable people with cancer to play a more active role in their care.
Initiatives
The Partnership’s work in this area includes enhancing the knowledge and practices of health-care professionals and developing support mechanisms within the system for people who have had a cancer diagnosis, as well as for their families.
Work is taking place across a number of key areas:
- Two initiatives as part of integrated person-centred care:
- Guidelines, Education and Practice
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Survivorship
1Canadian Cancer Society. “General Cancer Statistics for 2010.” May 2010. www.cancer.ca.
