APRIL 2024 | HEALTHINSIGHT.CA
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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Cancer Care
THE CANADIAN PARTNERSHIP AGAINST CANCER:
Improving Cancer Outcomes Across Canada Not all people in Canada have equitable access to cancer care. Our national cancer strategy is working to change that. Anne Papmehl
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Did you Know? Cancer Has a Price Tag That Many Canadians Can’t Afford The out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer care are a major burden or impossibility for many Canadians. Something needs to change. Andrea Seale, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society
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espite living in a country with universal health care, many people with cancer in Canada are paying out of pocket to access the essential care they need. These costs can be associated with anything from medication and caregiver expenses to getting to appointments and other travel costs. Earlier this year, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) partnered with the Angus Reid Group to conduct a survey, which found that the out-of-pocket costs associated with a cancer diagnosis would be unbearable for many Canadians. Over two-thirds of respondents said that additional monthly expenses related to cancer care would make it difficult for them to manage financial necessities, and one-third said that they’d need to go into debt to pay for these expenses. Equally concerning, a second 2024 survey commissioned in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and conducted by Léger revealed that nearly one in four people in Canada reported skipping doses, splitting pills, or not filling prescriptions due to cost.
Closing the care gap These challenges are compounded by the fact that, while we know cancer can affect anyone, it doesn’t affect everyone equally. There are deep disparities in cancer risk, care, and costs that can impact a person’s cancer treatment, outcomes, and overall experience. For underserved populations, like people living in rural and remote communities and families caring for young children facing cancer, the costs can be even greater. We must do more to reduce out-ofpocket costs and close the care gap for people facing cancer. But it will take all of us working collectively to make a significant change. How can you help? Get involved. Volunteer your time or donate to organizations like the CCS that are making life easier for those experiencing cancer. Offer a helping hand to someone who is going through cancer — a simple gesture like making a meal or caring for children can make a big difference. Lastly, use your voice. We need government to recognize the gaps in our system and work to reduce the out-ofpocket costs of cancer.
Andrea Seale CEO, Canadian Cancer Society
It takes a society to change the future of cancer forever. Add your signature to our letter by visiting cancer.ca/ costofcancer.
ancer outcomes are better when people have access to high-quality cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. However, factors like geography and socio-economic status can pose barriers to accessing these services. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (the Partnership) is funded by the federal government to be the steward of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (the Strategy). To implement the Strategy, the Partnership works with partners across Canada on a broad range of initiatives and helps to accelerate the uptake of new cancer advances and innovations in the healthcare system. The Strategy was originally drafted in 2006 and was refreshed in 2019, following consultations with over 7,500 Canadians. The result was an ambitious 10-year action plan (2019–2029) outlining eight priorities in Canada’s cancer system.
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Publisher: Meredith Burt Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production Lead: Michael Taylor Creative Lead: Kylie Armishaw Graphic & Web Designer: Christina Morgan Digital Media Coordinator: Kristen Neals Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm Rathod Content Strategy Manager: Nicole Kansakar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve Maclean’s Magazine or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.