Anticipatory Science
April 2012 marks the beginning of the Partnership’s second five-year mandate and the next phase of implementing Canada’s national cancer strategy. The priorities and initiatives for the next five years are outlined in our 2012-2017 strategic plan, Sustaining Action Toward a Shared Vision. Our website will soon be updated to reflect the activities supporting the strategic plan. The information below reflects the priorities and accomplishments of our work between 2007 and 2012.
Leveraging the collective wisdom of experts to inform policy
New evidence on cancer screening is often highly anticipated, especially when there is potential to reduce mortality rates. Publication of this type of evidence, particularly from major trials, creates the need for prompt review of existing information and relevant articles by health policy advisors involved in cancer control so they may respond in a timely, credible manner to the media and to briefing requests from provincial and territorial ministries of health.
Through its Anticipatory Science Initiative, the Partnership leverages the collective wisdom of experts across the country. Brought together as needed, in anticipation of the publication of important new trials, expert panels review existing trial-related publications and produce documents summarizing their common understanding of potential screening benefits, harms and implications for practitioners and health program planners. Once outcomes from trials become available, the new information is added to the summary report, at which point key information is sent to screening stakeholders across the country. As new evidence in screening emerges, the Partnership will continue to convene expert panels as needed to promote timely, streamlined, pan-Canadian synopsis and distribution of information.
Progress to date
Summary reports have been completed and are available on cancerview.ca. They include:
