The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer has released the refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control – a 10-year roadmap to improve equity in the cancer system and to deliver world-class cancer care to all Canadians, while focusing on a sustainable healthcare system for the future.

Together, voices from 7,500 Canadians, including healthcare leaders from across the country, shaped the Strategy aimed at strengthening cancer care for all Canadians, families and caregivers affected by the disease.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and organizations were engaged across Canada using a parallel process to ensure separate, respectful and Peoples-specific priorities and challenges were understood and reflected in the refreshed Strategy.

Strategy’s priorities

The Strategy’s five priorities will tackle the most pressing challenges for the next decade:

• Priority 1 - Decrease the risk of people getting cancer.
  
  

  1. Help people to stop smoking or not start in the first place and live healthier lives.
  2. Adopt proven practices known to reduce the risk of cancer.

• Priority 2 - Diagnose cancer faster, accurately and at an earlier stage.
  
  

  1. Prioritize rapid access to appropriate diagnosis for those suspected of having cancer.
  2. Strengthen existing screening efforts and implement lung-cancer screening programs across the country.

• Priority 3 - Deliver high-quality care in a sustainable, world-class system.
  
  

  1. Set best practices and standards for care delivery and promote their adoption.
  2. Eliminate low-benefit practices and adopt high-value practices.
  3. Design and implement new models of care.

• Priority 4 - Eliminate barriers to people getting the care they need.
  
  

  1. Provide better services and care adapted to the specific needs of underserviced groups.
  2. Ensure rural and remote communities have the resources required to better serve their people.
  3. Ensure care can be delivered between provinces, territories and federal jurisdictions when needed.

• Priority 5 - Deliver information and supports for people living with cancer, families and caregivers.
  
  

  1. Integrate the full spectrum of information and support services to ensure people are fully supported throughout the cancer journey.
  2. Address the limited and unequal access to palliative and end-of-life care across Canada.
  3. Support children, adolescents and young adults at key transition points in their unique cancer journeys.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis: 3 key cancer-care priorities

Three priorities were identified by First Nations, Inuit and Métis. For each of these priorities, Peoples-specific actions were identified that help drive needed changes in outcomes and experience for all First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

• Priority 1 - Culturally appropriate care closer to home

  First Nations actions

  1. Recognize and reflect the First Nations wholistic approach to health and wellness.
  2. Recognize and eliminate the impacts of racism within the system.
  3. Provide equitable access to basic health supports and cancer services.
  4. Provide more services closer to home and improve the journey for those who must travel to access care.
  5. Improve understanding of cancer and the cancer journey.

  Inuit actions

  1. Provide equitable access to cancer services closer to home.
  2. Improve travel policies.
  3. Incorporate Inuit wholistic approaches to health and wellness in cancer care.
  4. Recognize and eliminate racism within the system.
  5. Improve access to basic health supports.
  6. Improve understanding of cancer and the cancer journey.

  Métis actions

  1. Provide equitable access to resources, programs and care across the cancer continuum.
  2. Create a wholistic system that is responsive to Métis culture.
  3. Recognize and eliminate racism within the system.
  4. Improve access to basic health supports.
  5. Improve understanding of cancer and the cancer journey.

• Priority 2 - Peoples-specific, self-determined cancer care

  First Nations actions

  1. Design and deliver First Nations-determined programs and services.
  2. Reduce jurisdictional barriers.
  3. Improve communication, navigation and coordination across the system.

  Inuit actions

  1. Design and deliver Inuit-driven programs and services.
  2. Improve coordination and navigation of care.

  Métis actions

  1. Design and deliver Métis-determined programs and services.
  2. Reduce jurisdictional barriers and improve communication, navigation and coordination.

• Priority 3 - First Nations-, Inuit- or Métis-governed research and data systems

  First Nations actions

  1. Collect First Nations-specific data and set First Nations-specific indicators and targets.
  2. Invest in First Nations research capacity.
  3. Implement First Nations governance of the collection and use of data and research.

  Inuit actions

  1. Collect and report on Inuit-specific data.
  2. Determine impact of the environmental contamination on Inuit health, specifically cancer risk.

  Métis actions

  1. Collect Métis-specific data and develop Métis-determined indicators and outcomes.
  2. Invest in Métis research capacity.

The Partnership is the steward of the Strategy and works with those on the front lines – in all provinces and territories, cancer agencies, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments, and organizations, healthcare leaders, not-for-profit organizations, people with cancer, and those who care for them – to address challenges requiring new solutions and pan-Canadian action.

Strengthened by the support of the public, the cancer control community, and the broader health system, the Strategy is an ambitious, visionary plan to improve the health of Canadians.

Here are some quotes on the refreshed Strategy from supporters across the country:

The refresh of the Strategy identifies what the First Nations, Inuit and Métis nations have articulated as priorities for the delivery of cancer care and the required supports needed to action these priorities in their respective communities. Our Métis community here in Manitoba looks forward to working alongside the Partnership to improve our cancer services in the coming years.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians living with cancer and their families who are affected by this disease. I want to thank the Partnership for their efforts in leading on the development of the refreshed Strategy and the Canadians who participated in the consultations. Your input was invaluable to its development and its implementation in the future.

We commend the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and partners for their significant efforts in articulating key directions for cancer control in Canada and in the comprehensive public engagement undertaken to ensure the resulting plan reflects the diverse needs of all Canadians.

We believe the Strategy reflects our shared goals of delivering high-quality care in a sustainable system and supporting patients, families and caregivers.

We know a cancer diagnosis can change everything, which is why this bold Strategy to reduce the burden of cancer in Canada is critically important. Nearly 1 in 2 Canadians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and, at the same time, more people are surviving their diagnosis than ever before.

By working collectively with health care partners and stewards like the Partnership and supporting the priorities of the new Strategy, we can improve the cancer experience, helping people live longer and enhancing their quality of life.

A refreshed strategy for cancer control in Canada in the next ten years can assist with reducing inter provincial barriers and siloed approaches to cancer care. By working together in harmony, cancer causes can come together to lift the overall quality of care and access to care for Canadians. Respect for urban and rural patient needs will bring a higher priority to equal access and equal care to all Canadians.

The comprehensive approach shown in the refreshed Cancer Strategy addresses critical elements along the continuum of care. We believe this Strategy will help improve both quality of life and health outcomes for Canadians with breast cancer.

I am very excited to see that the challenges younger cancer patients experience when transitioning to the adult system have been acknowledged and we believe additional resources in this area will positively impact outcomes for childhood cancer survivors, improving the understanding of, and attention to, long term late effects of cancer treatment in children and youth.

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is pleased to provide this toolkit to help you share the refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.

We invite you to share the messages and images below to help raise awareness about the refreshed Strategy and what it will mean for the future of cancer care in Canada.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@cancerstrategy.ca. Thank you for your support.

Social media posts

Use hashtag #CDNCancerStrategy to share the Strategy.

Twitter Posts

Image copy: Let’s eliminate barriers to care

Post copy: No matter who we are or where we live, we should all have access to a high-quality cancer system. The #CDNCancerStrategy was designed to make that happen. cancerstrategy.ca

Image copy: Let’s create a sustainable cancer system

Post copy: From world-class best practices to new models of care, we can have a cancer control system that’s sustainable for generations to come. See how Canadians are working hard on this through the #CDNCancerStrategy. cancerstrategy.ca

Image copy: Let’s diagnose cancer faster

Post copy: Making cancer screening and early detection more available is just one way the #CDNCancerStrategy will help make our health system stronger. Learn more at cancerstrategy.ca.

Image copy: Let’s make First Nations, Inuit and Métis cancer care stronger

Post copy: The #CDNCancerStrategy is making culturally appropriate cancer care a priority. See how Canada is coming together to make our cancer system more equitable for generations to come. cancerstrategy.ca

Image copy: Let’s give cancer patients the support they need

Post copy: Canadians of all ages and backgrounds should have access to quality cancer prevention programs, treatment and palliative care. See how the #CDNCancerStrategy is making this a priority for the next decade and beyond. cancerstrategy.ca

Facebook Posts

Image copy: Let’s eliminate barriers to care

Post copy: No matter who we are or where we live, we should all have access to a high-quality cancer system. The #CDNCancerStrategy was designed to make that happen. cancerstrategy.ca

Image copy: Let’s create a sustainable cancer system

Post copy: From world-class best practices to new models of care, we can have a cancer control system that’s sustainable for generations to come. See how Canadians are working hard on this through the #CDNCancerStrategy. cancerstrategy.ca

Image copy: Let’s diagnose cancer faster

Post copy: Making cancer screening and early detection more available is just one way the #CDNCancerStrategy will help make our health system stronger. Learn more at cancerstrategy.ca.

Image copy: Let’s make First Nations, Inuit and Métis cancer care stronger

Post copy: The #CDNCancerStrategy is making culturally appropriate cancer care a priority. See how Canada is coming together to make our cancer system more equitable for generations to come. cancerstrategy.ca

Image copy: Let’s give cancer patients the support they need

Post copy: Canadians of all ages and backgrounds should have access to quality cancer prevention programs, treatment and palliative care. See how the #CDNCancerStrategy is making this a priority for the next decade and beyond. cancerstrategy.ca

Email copy

Share the Strategy with your personal and professional networks by email.

Subject line: Introducing a modern Strategy for cancer in Canada

Content:

Cancer affects every Canadian in some way – so we need a modern system that’s accessible to everyone, no matter who they are or where they live.

Today, we are excited to share the refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

The Partnership works with those on the front lines – the provinces and territories, cancer agencies, healthcare leaders, not-for-profit organizations, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and organizations, people with cancer, and those who care for them – to address challenges requiring new solutions and pan-Canadian action.

Together, voices from more than 7,500 Canadians including healthcare leaders across the country have shaped this Strategy. As you’ll see, it focuses on improving equity within the cancer system, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities. It also focuses on long-term, sustainable impact, so Canadians can benefit from a high-quality, world-class cancer control system for generations to come.

Discover more about the refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control and how together, we can create a system that’s more equitable and sustainable for generations to come. Visit cancerstrategy.ca.

Website content (summary)

Use the detailed or summary content on your website.

Headline: Canada’s modernized approach to cancer

Content:

The refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control is here. Based on input from more than 7,500 Canadians including healthcare leaders from across the country, the Strategy sets the course for a more equitable approach to cancer in Canada. No matter who we are or where we live, we should all have access to world-class care for generations to come.

Discover more about the modernized Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. Visit cancerstrategy.ca.

Website content (detailed)

Use the detailed or summary content on your website.

Headline: A modern approach to cancer in Canada

Content:

The refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control has been released by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

Together, 7,500 Canadians from all walks of life and across the country, including frontline healthcare workers, policymakers and First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and organizations shaped this Strategy. This shared vision sets the course for Canada’s approach to cancer over the next decade.

The refreshed Strategy focuses on improving equity within the cancer system, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities. It also focuses on long-term, sustainable impact, so all Canadians can benefit from a high-quality, world-class cancer control system for generations to come.

Discover more about the modernized Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. Visit cancerstrategy.ca.

Newsletter content

Include the Strategy in your next email newsletter.

Headline: A refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control

Content:

The refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control is here.

Through public engagement by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 7,500 Canadians including healthcare leaders across the country shared their opinions on cancer prevention, treatment and care in Canada. Their diverse input, plus expertise from frontline healthcare leaders and policymakers have shaped this modernized Strategy.

The refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control now focuses on improving equity within the cancer system, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities. It also focuses on long-term, sustainable impact, so Canadians can benefit from a high-quality, world-class cancer control system for generations to come.

Discover more about the modernized Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. Visit cancerstrategy.ca.