The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is bringing together experts in screening for distress and navigation to drive forward action on these important elements of cancer care.
Team members are working in partnership with health-care providers, survivors and cancer patients to offer the support, tools and training needed for local staff and organizations to establish programs that meet the specific needs of local patient populations across Canada.
Barry Bultz, PhD, of Calgary's Tom Baker Cancer Centre, is leading the screening for distress component. Sandra Cook, of Cancer Care Nova Scotia, heads the navigation element. This initiative will also draw on guidelines development work underway.
The goal is to establish screening for distress and/or navigation programs in at least six new areas in Canada by 2012. This is part of a "person-centred" care initiative that focuses on shifting the emphasis from tumour care to care that considers the needs of the whole patient.
Palliative and end-of-life care are important parts of the person-centred care initiative. A working group is exploring areas where the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer can contribute, such as in professional education and resource development. The Partnership is also actively collaborating with Canadian Virtual Hospice to provide support for palliative and end-of-life care for people with cancer and for families and professionals.
