Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Background: The interval between suspected cancer and diagnosis for symptomatic patients is often fragmented, leading to diagnosis delays and increased patient stress. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to explore barriers and facilitators to implementing and sustaining current initiatives across Canada that optimize early cancer diagnosis, with particular relevance for symptomatic patients.

Methods: The national study included a document review and key informant interviews with purposefully recruited participants.

Exploring the perspectives of patients about their care experience: identifying what patients perceive are important qualities in cancer care.

Introduction: Delivering person-centered care begins with understanding perspectives of individuals who are recipients of care about their experiences and what constitutes a "positive" experience.

Methods: This project explored views of individuals with cancer regarding their care experiences and identified aspects of care patients thought were important through a qualitative analysis of data from the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey (AOPSS). Permission was obtained from seven Canadian provinces to access de-identified written comments to a final open-ended question on the survey: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your cancer care experience? The descriptive qualitative analysis was guided by two questions: (1) what is the nature of the written comments and (2) what are key ideas expressed about care experiences? Key ideas were collated across provinces to identify significant themes within the national sample.

Moving toward the elimination of cervical cancer: modelling the health and economic benefits of increasing uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines.

Background: The human papillomavirus (hpv) is a common sexually transmitted infection and a primary cause of cervical cancer. The Government of Canada has set a target of reaching 90% hpv vaccine coverage among adolescents by 2025. Here, we examine hpv vaccine uptake in school-based immunization programs across Canada and explore how achieving the 90% target could affect the future incidence of cervical cancer, mortality, and health system expenditures in a cohort of Canadian women.

Palliative care for cancer patients near end of life in acute-care hospitals across Canada: a look at the inpatient palliative care code.

Hospitals play an important role in the care of patients with advanced cancer: nearly half of all cancer deaths occur in acute-care settings. The need for increasing access to palliative care and related support services for patients with cancer in acute-care hospitals is therefore growing. Here, we examine how often and how early in their illness patients with cancer might be receiving palliative care services in the 2 years before their death in an acute-care hospital in Canada.

The north-south and east-west gradient in colorectal cancer risk: a look at the distribution of modifiable risk factors and incidence across Canada.

Colorectal cancer (crc) is the 2nd most common cancer in Canada and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death. That heavy burden can be mitigated given the preventability of crc through lifestyle changes and screening. Here, we describe the extent of the variation in crc incidence rates across Canada and the disparities, by jurisdiction, in the prevalence of modifiable risk factors known to contribute to the crc burden.