Supplementary data: Quebec

This page provides data visualizations related to the priorities for Canada’s cancer system, as well as accessible descriptions.

Download data tables for all indicators.

Priority 1 Action 1: Help people to stop smoking or not start in the first place and live healthier lives

Topic: Keeping people smoke-free
Title of image: Percentage of people in Quebec (aged ≥ 12) classified as daily or occasional smokers in 2020
Quebec 15%. Canada 12.9%.
Data source : Canadian Community Health Survey


Topic: Maintaining healthy body weight
Title of image: Percentage of people in Quebec (aged ≥ 18) classified as being overweight or obese in 2019
Quebec 64.9%. Canada 65.9%.
Data source: Canadian Community Health Survey

Topic: Maintaining healthy body weight
Title of image: Percentage of people in Quebec (aged ≥ 18) classified as being overweight or obese in 2017-2018, by income quintile and by sex
Quintile 1 is 59.6% for females and 66.5% for males. Quintile 5 is 54.7% for females and 72.3% for males.
Title of table: Percentage of people in Quebec (aged ≥ 18) classified as being overweight or obese in 2017-2018, by income quintile and by sex

Sex Quintile 1 Quintile 2 Quintile 3 Quintile 4 Quintile 5
Female 59.6% 62.1% 60.2% 54.9% 54.7%
Male 66.5% 71.7% 71.0% 74.2% 72.3%

Data source : Canadian Community Health Survey

Topic: Maintaining healthy body weight
Title of image: Percentage of people in Quebec (aged ≥ 18) classified as being overweight or obese in 2019, by sex
Male 71.1%. Female 58.7%.
Data source: Canadian Community Health Survey

Priority 1 Action 2: Adopt proven practices known to reduce the risk of cancer

Topic: Increasing HPV vaccination
Title of image: Percentage of Grade 4 elementary school students vaccinated for HPV from 2018 to 2019
Immunization coverage varies from 71 to 90% in girls and from 62 to 88% in boys, based on the school attendance area.

84% received at least one dose. 92% considered fully vaccinated.
Data source: Flash Vigie – Septembre 2019 – Vol. 14, no 7

Topic: Increasing HPV vaccination
Title of image: Percentage of initial and catch-up HPV vaccinations for Grade 4 elementary school students in 2018 and 2019
Immunization coverage varies from 71 to 90% in girls and from 62 to 88% in boys, based on the school attendance area.
79% female. 77% male.
Data source: Flash Vigie – Septembre 2019 – Vol. 14, no 7

Priority 2 Action 2: Strengthen existing screening efforts and implement lung cancer screening programs across the country

Topic: Increasing participation in colorectal cancer screening
Title of image: Immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) screening coverage rate among individuals aged 50 to 74
Over 24 month period: 30% in 2016. 32% in 2017. 34% in 2018. 38% in 2019. 32% in 2020. 32% in 2021.
Title of table: Immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) screening coverage rate among individuals aged 50 to 74

Periods 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
24-month period 30% 32% 34% 38% 32% 32%
30-month period 34% 37% 39% 46% 40% 37%

Data source: Dashboard on the performance of the health and social services network (gouv.ca.ca)


Topic: Implementing lung cancer screening
Title of image: Depiction of how participation has progressed
The target is to engage 3,000 participants in the demonstration project
June 2021 had 2987 participants. July had 3236 participants. Target was 3000.
Title of table: Depiction of how participation has progressed in 2020

July August September October November December
177 300 682 991 1272 1429

Title of table: Depiction of how participation has progressed in 2021

January February March April Mai June July
1583 1896 2111 2365 2684 2987 3236

Data source: Results of the lung screening demonstration program deployed by l’IUCPQ (ucipq.qc.ca) and financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Implementing lung cancer screening
Title of image: Percentage of participants by age group
Age 55-59 is 20%. Age 60-64 is 34%. Age 65-69 is 30%. Age 70-74 is 16%.
Data source: Results of the lung screening demonstration program deployed by l’IUCPQ (ucipq.qc.ca) and financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Implementing lung cancer screening
Title of image: Percentage of patients referred by a family physician
Yes 90%. No 10%.
Data source: Results of the lung screening demonstration program deployed by l’IUCPQ (ucipq.qc.ca) and financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Implementing lung cancer screening
Title of image: Percentage of referrals to the I QUIT NOW telephone line
Smokers admitted to program and referred to I QUIT NOW: 72%. Smokers not admitted to program and referred to I QUIT NOT: 15%.
Data source: Results of the lung screening demonstration program deployed by l’IUCPQ (ucipq.qc.ca) and financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Priority 4 Action 2: Ensure rural and remote communities have the resources required to better serve their people

Topic: Increasing access to virtual care
Title of image: Using telehealth
Yes, more than 5 times 19%. Yes, between 2 and 5 times 9%. Yes, 1 time. 3%.
Title of table: Using telehealth

Using telehealth Percent
Yes, more than 5 times 19%
Yes, between 2 and 5 times 9%
Yes, one time 3%
No, but I intend to use it soon 42%
No, I don’t intend to use it 27%

Data source: Data from the report produced by CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS (santeestrie.qc.ca) as part of the Virtual Care Services project funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Increasing access to virtual care
Title of image: Support for using telehealth
Note: These results demonstrate that respondents understand and agree to these changes, but that there are still challenges when it comes to practical application and the integration of telehealth into the OPN practice.
I understand the purpose and objective 39% strongly agree, and 57% agree. Full description below.

Comment Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Not applicable
I understand the purpose and strategic objective of the project. 39 57 4 0 0
I see the benefits that this project will bring to users. 32 57 12 0 0
I see the benefits that this project will bring to my work. 22 54 23 1 0
I feel that my colleagues are open to change. 7 67 19 3 4
I am confident in my ability to adopt new ways of working. 29 61 9 1 0
I use virtual meetings with my patients when I see the added value. 16 32 13 1 38
I feel supported and am able to share my questions. 23 42 19 4 12
I feel that the necessary means and conditions for success are available in order to implement telehealth into the practice of oncology pivot nurses. 17 25 38 16 4
I am taking initiatives to incorporate telehealth into my OPN work. 12 29 41 6 13

Data source: Data from the report produced by CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS (santeestrie.qc.ca) as part of the Virtual Care Services project funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Increasing access to virtual care
Title of image: Satisfaction of professionals
Very satisifed professionals 41%. Satisfied 51%. Neutral 5%. Unsatisfied 3%.
Data source: Data from the report produced by CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS (santeestrie.qc.ca) as part of the Virtual Care Services project funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Increasing access to virtual care
Title of image: Main challenges of telehealth
Refusal of patients, not comfortable with tech 25%. Patients without equipment, without Internet 22%. Patients satisfied with the telephone 12%. Technical support to patients 12%. Coaching/change management of oncology pivot nurses 12%. Other 17%.
*Other reasons: too complex; the professionals do not offer telehealth services; the facility’s Internet connection; the patient’s Internet connection; the patient’s training; delicate/confidential subjects; additional stress for patients
Data source: Data from the report produced by CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS (santeestrie.qc.ca) as part of the Virtual Care Services project funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Priority 5 Action 1: Integrate the full spectrum of information and support services to ensure people are fully supported throughout the cancer experience

Topic: Improving availability of information and support
Title of image: Patient challenges after treatmenPhysical symptoms 93%. Emotional symptoms 71%. Practical challenges 39%.
Data source: Data from a report produced by the CISSS de Laval (lavalensante.com) as part of the project on transition – Life After Cancer – financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Improving availability of information and support
Title of image: Needs identified by patients
Note: According to patients, having access to information on paper or on a website and being able to converse with a healthcare professional allows them to feel better equipped to face the period after the end of their treatment.
What should be implemented to help and advise you during post treatment? Info on paper 42%. Ability to discuss with oncologist when needed 40%. Informative website 37%. Consultation with healthcare professional 34%. Meeting with oncology pivot nurse 33%. Referral to support group 19% Referral to someone who has experienced cancer 16%.
Title of table: Needs identified by patients

What should be implemented first in order to better help and advise you during the post-treatment period? Percent
Information printed on paper 42%
Ability to discuss with an oncology professional when needed 40%
Access to an informative website 37%
Consultation with a healthcare professional 34%
Meeting with an oncology pivot nurse (OPN) 33%
Referral to a support group 19%
Referral to someone who has experienced cancer 16%
Referral to a community organization 11%
Other 8%

Data source: Data from a report produced by the CISSS de Laval (lavalensante.com) as part of the project on transition – Life After Cancer – financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Improving availability of information and support
Title of image: Needs of front line professionals
Note: Healthcare professionals working on the front lines have a great need for tools and knowledge to better support their patients after the end of cancer treatment.
Do you have sufficient knowledge in order to handle medical and pharmaceutical followups? I need guidebooks and decision making tools 69%. I need continuing education 47% I need to quickly refer to specialized resources 42%.
Title of table: Needs of front line professionals

Do you consider yourself as having sufficient knowledge in order to handle medical and pharmaceutical follow-ups for post-treatment cancer patients? Percent
I would need guidebooks and decision-making tools 69%
I would need continuing education 47%
I would need to be able to quickly refer to specialized resources 42%
Yes, absolutely 8%
Other 4%
I do not need training 1%

Data source: Data from a report produced by the CISSS de Laval (lavalensante.com) as part of the project on transition – Life After Cancer – financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Improving availability of information and support
Title of image: Level of knowledge of the transitional period
Note: The majority of oncology professionals admit to not having sufficient knowledge on the transition period and that they require more training on the subject.
Do you consider yourself as having sufficient knowledge on survivorship? I don't believe I have sufficient knowledge 61%. I have sufficient knowledge 33%. I believe I don't need this knowledge 6%.
Data source: Data from a report produced by the CISSS de Laval (lavalensante.com) as part of the project on transition – Life After Cancer – financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Topic: Improving availability of information and support
Title of image: Interest in receiving training on transition
Would you be interested in receiving training on survivorship? Yes 86%. No 14%.Data source: Data from a report produced by the CISSS de Laval (lavalensante.com) as part of the project on transition – Life After Cancer – financed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer