CCAN Overview
In order to help build and sustain a cancer control model that is successful across the cancer continuum, Canadians need the loud, clear voices of those who have been directly affected by cancer.
In 2001, there was a strong belief that a coordinated, unified organization comprised of patient-centered organizations was needed in order to fill a unique niche in the Canadian cancer landscape – a belief that inspired national cancer organizations to form the Canadian Cancer Action Network (CCAN).
Who are We?
We are a volunteer-driven, incorporated organization dedicated to ensuring patient interests remain a key priority on the national cancer agenda.
Uniting cancer-site patient organizations from across Canada under one umbrella:
- We work collaboratively with key stakeholders from the cancer community to advance patient interests.
- We bring an informed patient perspective to all key areas of the cancer control continuum.
- We engage with key decision makers to ensure a national system that optimizes care and treatment outcomes through all phases of cancer control continues to evolve.
CCAN Members Council is currently comprised of 17 prominent national cancer-site organizations; 5 population organizations; 9 provincial CCAN chairs and 7 Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Action Group representatives.
How We Make a Difference:
Working closely with CCAN Members Council and other key stakeholders (including the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer) our primary focus is to ensure that a strong, informed patient voice remains a key part of the work of the evolving cancer control strategy. Our strength lies in our ability to engage cancer-site organizations and population organizations who, in turn, represent an enormous network of cancer patients and their families across the country. This is achieved by playing an active role in various working groups, activities and initiatives of the cancer control strategy and by bringing a unique patient perspective forward.
We work toward advancing the priority recommendations of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC) and as a direct result, the work of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (the independent corporation established to refine and implement the work the CSCC had commenced) by ensuring the patient voice is informed and involved.
We believe that by bringing the perspective of people whose lives are directly affected by cancer, and creating linkages and partnerships with other groups and organizations with similar goals, we can work toward ensuring Canadians have the best possible system for cancer control – a system that is comprehensive, accessible, timely, sustainable, universal, equitable and affordable.
