1. What is the Canadian Cancer Action Network?
The Canadian Cancer Action Network is a volunteer-driven, incorporated organization dedicated to ensuring patient interests remain a key priority on the national cancer control agenda.
Uniting cancer-site patient organizations from across Canada, we:
- Work collaboratively with key stakeholders from the cancer community to effectively represent patient concerns and advance patient interests.
- Work with key decision makers to ensure a national system that optimizes care and treatment outcomes through all phases of the cancer control continuum continues to evolve.
2. What is the history of the Canadian Cancer Action Network?
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. The Cancer Control Strategy (CSCC) was the volunteer organization that drafted Canada’s first national plan for cancer control, The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control: A Cancer Plan for Canada and successfully advocated for its funding – we played an instrumental role in that process bringing forward the voice of patients and survivors. Once funding from the federal government was in place to advance the cancer control strategy, we became an affiliate partner of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer – the independent corporation established to refine and implement the work the CSCC had commenced. Today, we have a national office based in Toronto, ON as well as provincial CCAN groups functioning in many of the provinces.
3. What is cancer control?
As defined by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer: “Cancer control involves the entire population. It is not limited to those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are being treated within the cancer-care system. Rather, cancer control spans prevention, screening, education, research, treatment, supportive care and surveillance (the gathering and analysis of data related to cancer).”
4. Why do we need a national strategy for cancer control?
According to Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009, about 40 per cent of Canadian women and 45 per cent of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in middle-aged adults in Canada and, despite significant improvements in prevention, treatment and survival, more and more Canadians are being diagnosed with cancer.
5. How does the Canadian Cancer Action Network carry out its work?
Our work is governed by an elected Board of Directors composed of patient-voice representatives from cancer organizations; cancer patients, family members or caregivers, and the Aboriginal community. Our work is guided forward primarily through active participation and informed contributions in all areas of the cancer continuum where an informed patient perspective is essential, including all of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Action Groups: Cancer Guidelines, Cancer Journey, Health Human Resources, Primary Prevention, Research, Screening and Surveillance.
6. What is Members Council?
As CCAN continues to evolve as an organization, our connection to the patient community is strengthened through CCAN Members Council. Currently, CCAN Members Council is comprised of representatives from national cancer-site organizations and population organizations, as well as patient voice representatives serving on the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Advisory Groups and provincial delegates representing patient interests in specific provincial jurisdictions.
Our work is guided forward (and further defined) by Members Council. They provide us with valuable insight from their respective cancer patient constituents, unique patient perspectives on key issues of concern and overall direction based on the key priorities outlined in our strategic plan, “Making Our Voices Heard.”
7. As an interested Canadian, how can I get involved with the Canadian Cancer Action Network?
On a regular basis, we are approached by key stakeholders and by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to appoint patient-voice representatives to various working groups and/or committees. Through our pan-Canadian Patient Voice Network, we are often asked to designate a patient-voice representative to attend forums or workshops where the patient perspective is essential to advancing the work. Canadians are encouraged to step forward and join the growing network of patient voice representatives.
8. What is the pan-Canadian Patient Voice Network?
The pan-Canadian Patient Voice Network consists of Canadians – cancer patients, family members or caregivers, health care professionals or professionals in the cancer care community – who want to make a difference. In order to ensure informed patients have a place in the cancer control strategy and remain actively involved in the work taking place across Canada, we continue to expand the network through ongoing recruitment efforts – both nationally, and at the provincial level.
9. How is the Canadian Cancer Action Network funded?
We are funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer who, through Health Canada, will receive $250 million over five years for implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. We also collect membership dues from those organizations represented at Members Council.
10. How can I contact the Canadian Cancer Action Network?
We can be reached by email at mmorrison@canceraction.ca (Marjorie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer) or by mail at:
Canadian Cancer Action Network
1 University Avenue, Suite 300
Toronto, ON
M5J 2P1
TEL: 416.619.5784 or 1.866.387.1986
