Setting a course for 2017-2022 and beyond

More than a decade ago, the Canadian cancer community came together in an unprecedented effort to address the growing challenge presented by rising rates of cancer and cancer deaths in this country. We created a shared cancer strategy with three ambitious goals: a future in which fewer Canadians develop cancer, fewer die from it, and those affected by the disease have a better quality of life.

We see progress, the 2017-2022 strategic plan, celebrates the real system-level change and innovation that is underway across Canada. While much work remains, we can say confidently that, together, we are on target to meet the Strategy’s 30-year goals.

Through our joint efforts and working within the Partnership’s proven model for effecting policy and practice change, we are achieving results more quickly. We now have better data to inform clinical decisions and system improvement. We have enhanced collaboration in cancer research, established more cancer screening programs and expanded efforts to prevent cancer before it begins. And we are working with First Peoples to reduce the impact of cancer on First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

To develop the strategic plan for 2017-2022, the Partnership undertook more than a year of extensive consultations with partners and stakeholders. We reached out to more than 130 partners – including provincial and territorial cancer agencies and programs, national Aboriginal organizations, cancer charities and nongovernmental organizations, people affected by cancer, health professionals, health and research organizations and provincial and territorial governments – gathering input on issues, gaps and opportunities. This groundwork was critical to developing a framework that reflects our partners and the priorities of Canadians – the people to whom this work matters most.

Strategic themes

Building on our learnings, progress and successes in the first decade of the Strategy, the strategic plan is grounded in five themes:

• Quality: Embed evidence-based quality improvements in all interventions, from population-based prevention policies and practices through all aspects of person-centred care. Improve success rates and maximize appropriate diagnosis and treatment by promoting Canada-wide adoption of evidence-based best practices. Aim for the right diagnosis, right treatment and right care at the right time, based on the needs of each individual.
• Equity: Minimize disparity across the cancer control system for all populations. Ensure access to high-quality, culturally appropriate and person-centred cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care no matter where an individual lives, who they are or where they are in the cancer journey. Improve delivery of cancer control services with and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and partners.
• Seamless patient experience: Make transformational efforts to design the system from the perspective of patients and their families. Ensure that person-centred care is the standard of practice in the cancer control system. Close the gaps in the continuum of prevention and care so people experience a simple and more understandable path when navigating the system or transitioning in or out of the cancer care experience.
• Maximize data impact: Broaden the reach, depth and availability of population and cancer data with an emphasis on ensuring that researchers and cancer system professionals are able to ask questions of the data and find answers to address the most important challenges at the front line for faster and more evidence-based decision-making.
• Sustainable system: Make the system more responsive, resource efficient and economically sustainable by spreading knowledge faster of what works best and has the most positive impact. Recognize and plan for the increase in cancer cases to come in the next two decades, and plan for delivery of appropriate levels of care that recognize the needs of the aging population.

As the steward of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, the Partnership is committed to continuing our collaborative approach, driving measurable progress, deepening the involvement of patients, leveraging innovation and opportunities to spread successful practices and harnessing the strengths and talents of our partners.

Together, we will reach our goals – and reduce the burden of cancer for all Canadians.

Download We see progress: The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control 2017-2022