2023-24 Annual report

Looking ahead

Canada’s healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, which demands a responsive and collaborative approach from CPAC. Working together with our partners to improve cancer outcomes and access to high-quality care, we will continue to align our efforts with the shifting priorities of federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous health authorities, and to respond nimbly to emerging needs and opportunities. As we approach the mid-point of implementing the 2019–29 Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, our focus is on driving outcomes with partners as they implement action plans.

Strong leadership from the Board of Directors, and ongoing relationship building and collaboration with advisors and partners – including patient and family advisors – will be crucial as we navigate this dynamic environment.

We aim to apply our agile approach to improve cancer outcomes across a number of key initiatives in 2024-25: 

  • Eliminating cervical cancer: With a goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, we will continue to support the Urban Public Health Network to increase HPV immunization rates among under-immunized communities. We will also accelerate the implementation of HPV primary screening, self-screening and follow-up programs. 
  • Early detection of lung cancer: Organized lung cancer screening programs will continue to roll out across the country, with a specific focus on engaging First Nations, Inuit and Métis in co-creating culturally safe programs. Detecting lung cancer early ensures that many more people will survive this disease. 
  • Models of care: By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across provinces and territories, we will provide ongoing support to facilitate the implementation of projects aimed at improving cancer care delivery for everyone. 
  • Palliative care: Everyone deserves access to palliative care towards the end of life. Our commitment to equitable access to palliative care will continue through our collaboration with Healthcare Excellence Canada to implement the Improving Equitable Access to Palliative Care initiative in communities across Canada. 
  • First Nations, Inuit, and Métis health: Ongoing support will be provided in all provinces and territories to develop and implement culturally safe strategies and approaches to cancer care according to Peoples-specific, self-determined priorities. 
  • Cancer data strategy: With the pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy as our guide, CPAC and partners will continue to develop and implement initiatives that advance the cancer data strategy’s goals to enhance the collection, integration and use of cancer data, and ensure high-quality, up-to-date information is available.
  • Equity measurement: We will continue to convene partners to build consensus on appropriate methodologies and action plans for measuring inequities – with the goal of identifying and reducing disparities. 
  • Oncofertility: We will work to spread initiatives to ensure younger cancer patients have access to fertility preservation options when they receive treatment. 

By fostering collaboration, adapting nimbly to a changing landscape, and continuously monitoring progress, CPAC remains confident in its ability to deliver on our ambitious goals and improving cancer outcomes for all people, no matter who they are or where they live.