Delivering high-quality surgical oncology care

Delivering high-quality care relies on a well-trained workforce and the adoption of pan-Canadian, disease-specific standards to ensure patient access to high-quality services and care.

Calls to action to improve cancer surgery

The Canadian Network of Surgical Associations for Cancer Care (CANSACC) will work with its members and partners to confirm pan-Canadian commitment to the delivery of high-quality, equitable care.

• We call on surgeons to ask cancer patients about modifiable risk factors and refer them to prevention programs as part of their care.
• We call on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) to continue to hold surgeons accountable to maintain and improve their proficiency by pursuing self-assessment and quality improvement. Where necessary, surgeons should also be encouraged to pursue formal training and maintenance of certification, and to seek mentorship to improve outcomes.
• We call on ourselves, the Partnership and the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies to continue to support the development and facilitate the adoption of disease-specific pan-Canadian standards.
• We call on Health Standards Organization and Accreditation Canada to explore the development and implementation of pan-Canadian integrated people-centred cancer care standards and assessment to ensure quality and patient safety across the cancer care continuum.
• We call on the provincial/territorial ministries of health, cancer programs and the Partnership to work with Health Standards Organization and Accreditation Canada in development and implementation of pan-Canadian integrated people-centred cancer care standards and assessment to ensure accountability for their adoption across Canada.