Making the Cancer System Work for Patients and Families

CANCER CARE N.S.--Making the Cancer System Work for Patients and Families

One hundred cancer patients, survivors, family members, volunteers, doctors and other health professionals from across Nova Scotia will gather to discuss strategies to help patients and families become more involved in the cancer system.

"Cancer patients, their families and friends have real-life insight into the current cancer system," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner of Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "They've been there. They know what works and what we need to improve upon. Their involvement is key to ensuring comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centred cancer care for all."

Participants at the Cancer Patient Family Network Roundtable, being hosted by Cancer Care Nova Scotia, will explore opportunities for improving the quality of Nova Scotia's cancer system. They will meet at the Holiday Inn Harbourview in Dartmouth on Thursday, May 30.

There has been much debate, nationally, about ways to involve patients and families in enhancing the cancer system. Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Cancer Patient Family Network is breaking ground in how it involves patients and families in making changes to Nova Scotia's cancer system.

The roundtable will further establish the Cancer Patient Family Network for Nova Scotia. The objectives of the day include:

• bringing together Nova Scotians who share an interest in developing a cancer system where health professionals and cancer patients, survivors and family members can work together to improve the system;
• learning about consumer involvement in health-care-quality issues; and
• developing recommendations for strengthening the Cancer Patient Family Network and developing its agenda.

"For me, it's very healing and empowering to know that patients' opinions are being listened to and are making a difference for others," said Emmie Luther-Hiltz, a cancer survivor, cancer advocate and co-ordinator of the Cancer Patient Family Network. "This roundtable is an opportunity for patients to get involved and to share their perspective on ways we can work with health professionals to improve the system for everyone."

The Cancer Patient Family Network was established by Cancer Care Nova Scotia as a formal communication channel for cancer patients, survivors and family members. The network will facilitate information sharing, foster and promote grassroots support for cancer patients and offer its members a collective voice to ultimately enhance the cancer system across the province.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health care system through prevention, screening, education and research.