Eight priorities for Canada’s cancer system

Help people to stop smoking or not start in the first place and live healthier lives

• Keeping people smoke-free
• Maintaining healthy body weight

Adopt proven practices known to reduce the risk of cancer

• Increasing HPV vaccination
• Implementing HPV screening for cervical cancer
• Increasing genetic testing

Prioritize rapid access to appropriate diagnosis for those suspected of having cancer

• Reducing wait for diagnosis
• Diagnosing cancer earlier

Strengthen existing screening efforts and implement lung cancer screening programs across the country

• Increasing participation in colorectal cancer screening
• Implementing lung cancer screening

Set best practices and standards for care delivery and promote their adoption

• Implementing multidisciplinary care

Eliminate low-benefit practices and adopt high-value practices

• Optimizing care at end of life
• Optimizing screening and appropriate follow-up

Design and implement new models of care

• Expanding models of care

Provide better services and care adapted to the specific needs of underserved groups

• Increasing access to culturally safe care
• Increasing support to help patients navigate the system

Ensure rural and remote communities have the resources required to better serve their people

• Increasing access to virtual care
• Increasing access to supportive care services

Ensure care can be delivered between provinces, territories and federal jurisdictions when needed

• Improving access to timely care for people who need to travel between jurisdictions
• Improving access to transportation and general support for those needing to travel between jurisdictions

Integrate the full spectrum of information and support services to ensure people are fully supported throughout the cancer experience

• Improving availability of information and support
• Improving access to shared medical records

Address the limited and unequal access to palliative and end-of-life care across Canada

• Improving access to quality end-of-life care
• Improving access to culturally safe palliative care

Support children, adolescents and young adults at key transition points in their unique cancer journeys

• Improving care for adolescents and young adults with cancer
• Improving transitions for adolescents and young adults with cancer

Receiving culturally appropriate care close to home is the preferred choice for anyone experiencing cancer. It includes incorporating wholistic approaches to health and wellness and providing equitable access to basic health supports and cancer services.

A culturally appropriate approach that addresses the needs of individuals should be offered through Peoples-specific programs and services. This can be achieved through innovative approaches where Peoples-specific leadership is demonstrated through self-determined health programs and services that meet the needs of communities.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis-specific, self-determined data and research are key to understanding access, experience and outcomes in cancer care, and identifying community-led efforts and potential solutions for better outcomes.