The Northern Cancer control Strategy
The Northern Cancer Control Strategy is a joint initiative between the Provincial Health Services Authority/BC Cancer Agency and Northern Health. The priorities outlined in the strategy are designed to improve outcomes and build the essential foundation required to improve the continuum of cancer care in the North. The objectives of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy are to:
- Decrease the incidence of cancer
- Increase survival from cancer
- Improve the quality of life
- Improve access to services for Northerners
The Northern Cancer Control Strategy will enhance all aspects of the continuum of cancer care from prevention & promotion, screening, detection & diagnosis, treatment, supportive care & rehabilitation, to palliative & end of life care.
The historical development of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy in the North:
- 1980’s to 2005 – Northern residents have been actively advocating for a Cancer Centre in the North.
- 2005 – Development of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy by Northern Health and BC Cancer Agency.
- Late 2005 – Radiation Therapy Review assessed the feasibility of a radiation therapy centre in the North.
- Late 2005 – Systemic Therapy Review of Chemotherapy Services rendered in the North.
- 2006 – Premier’s Consultation for Improved Cancer Care in Northern BC was developed and proposed 4 key recommendations. Download
- 2007 – A Northern Cancer Control Strategy Business Plan was developed to propose enhancements across the cancer control continuum.
- 2007 – Announcement by the Premier of BC that a BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North will be established in Prince George by 2012.
- 2007 – Enhancements of other cancer control services have begun to be implemented.
- May 2008 – The business plan was approved and funded.
The Northern Cancer Control Strategy Business Plan
Total annual new cancer diagnosis cases in northern BC will increase from 1061 in 2007 to 1219 in 2012. Based on this projection, the business plan proposed enhancements to each component of the cancer care continuum of services including :
- Prevention
- Screening
- Navigation
- Detection and Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Support Services
- Enablers
- Lodging
Download the Northern Cancer Control Strategy Business Plan Overview
Adobe PDF Document (52 kb)
Cancer Control Strategy Research Framework
A Research Framework for the Northern Cancer Control Strategy is currently being developed in partnership with the BC Cancer Agency and UNBC. The purpose of this framework is to provide a clear mechanism in which research can be supported and developed in the North. This is being done by working with the major stakeholders to identify a joint vision for cancer control research in the North and by working with all organizations to identify infrastructure and processes needed to facilitate cancer control research.
Following a successful NCCS Research Strategy Visioning Workshop held in Prince George, a workshop will be jointly held in four northern communities, Terrace, Smithers, Fort St. John and Dawson Creek on September 15th to determine what a Cancer Control research framework should look like with all Northern role players.
If you are interested in participating in one of these sessions, or would like to be informed of future developments, please contact Dan Le at dan.le@northernhealth.ca.
Mapping the Breast Cancer Journey in the North
The Office of the NCCS is currently facilitating the development of Patient Cancer Journey Maps in the NI, NW, and NE Health Service Delivery Areas. These maps are being developed through 4 hour multidisciplinary group working sessions. The purpose of creating these maps is to develop a common understanding of the components, decision points, people involved, timelines, and bottlenecks of the cancer journey from suspicion to end of treatment. They will be used to provide a baseline in which all cancer care stakeholders can provide meaningful input into the development of optimized cancer journeys for their HSDA.
The following maps have been created:
- Current Breast Cancer Journey Map from cancer suspicion to supportive care (NI)
- Ideal Breast Cancer Journey Map from cancer suspicion to end of surgery (NI)
- Current Breast Cancer Journey Maps from suspicion to palliative care (NE and NW)
Next steps will include:
- Mapping the current and ideal cancer journeys for other common cancers in NI, NE, and NW (colorectal, prostate, lung)
- Create artistic patient maps to be distributed to patients at various stages of the breast cancer journey
- Work with the multidisciplinary teams to optimize the “ideal” cancer journeys for their HSDAs and begin implementing “quick wins” as soon as possible
A workshop to develop a map depicting the “ideal” breast cancer journey in Fort St. John will be held on October 10th from 8am to noon. If you are interested in participating in this session, or would like to be informed of future developments, please contact Dan Le at dan.le@northernhealth.ca.
Developing an Integrated Breast Health Clinic at PGRH
The Office of the NCCS is currently working with a multidisciplinary team at Prince George Regional Hospital (PGRH) to develop a business plan to create an Integrated Breast Health Clinic at PGRH. The purpose of this Integrated Breast Health Clinic is to create a centralized, dedicated, and seamless system for Breast Cancer patients that will address fragmentation and unnecessary duplication issues that currently exist.
Following the development of current and ideal Breast Cancer Journey Maps for PGRH, the six most pressing problem areas along the Breast Cancer Journey were identified. Six Working Groups have been established to tackle the following problems areas:
- Enhancing Patient Information in Mammography
- Standardizing the GP Fast Track System
- Optimizing the Biopsy Booking Process
- Enhancing Patient Education using Patient Journey Maps
- Improving Physician Education in Breast Cancer
- Improving Pre- and Post-Operative Breast Surgery Teaching
These working groups are currently developing solutions and implementation plans for each of these areas. The implementation plans will be presented at a workshop at PGRH on September 18th from 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
If you would be interested in participating in one of these working groups, or would like to be informed of future development, please contact Dan Le at dan.le@northernhealth.ca
