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It makes you appreciate your loved ones and your quality of life, and you tend to start concentrating on those things more... ”

Nancy Ridgway

Having this diagnosis is a life experience that no-one should have to go through, says Nancy Ridgway, who knows only too well how devastating it is to be told you have cancer.

In an instant, everything changed for Ridgway when she got the news. At first, she was very mad and very afraid. But as she met with oncologists, radiologists and other caregivers, the anxiety subsided, or at least became manageable.

I would tell someone just diagnosed to take a breath because it will get easier.”

Tina Radoslav

I have an amazing family – mother, father, brother and sister – they have been with me for every chemotherapy session and surgery. When we told my children, my entire family was there. We said, Mum has cancer and she's going to beat it. That was the only time there were tears.

I would tell someone just diagnosed to take a breath because it will get easier. There is so much assistance for us and there are so many people, doctors, nurses, family and friends, willing to help.

What we have realized at Cancer Care Ontario is that quality improvement occurs locally.”

Dr. Jon Irish

The surgical oncology program at CCO has two main components: access to care and access to quality care.

The whole concept of access to quality care is to do it better. This can mean a range of things including improved satisfaction for the patient, better outcomes, improved survival, less complications, better margin resection rates, and improved lymph nodes retrieval rates for colorectal cancer.

My advice to people is stop smoking and don’t be around second-hand smoke. ”

Theo Dosis

About 3 to 4 years ago, I went to the bathroom and found blood in my urine. I went to my family doctor, who sent me to the urologist. The specialist did some tests and that is when I found out that I had cancer in my bladder.

The feeling was one where I couldn't believe it…I had cancer in by bladder. I asked my doctor where it came from and he said it was from the smoking. I didn't think I could get bladder cancer from smoking. But I did.

Ultimately, I am responsible for the quality and performance of the program.”

Dr. Craig McFadyen

Within our region, the colonoscopy network is a great example of maximizing partnerships. In the past, our region has performed poorly in terms of access for screening colonoscopy due to underutilized time in hospitals for endoscopy. By working collaboratively with all the surgeons, gastroenterologists and hospitals we were able to maximize and optimize the time. Today, patients screened through our regional network have some of the best access times in the province.

About This Plan

Tina's story

Goals and Strategic Priorities

	Once we had a game-plan going, I was able to relax a little.”
- Nancy Ridgway

	There are so many people, doctors, nurses, family and friends, willing to help.”
- Tina Radoslav

	The quality of care initiative is about doing it better for patients.”
- Dr. Jon Irish

	I asked my doctor where it came from and he said it was from the smoking.”
- Theo Dosis

	Today, patients screened through our regional network have some of the best access times in the province.”
- Dr. Craig McFadyen

The OCP III builds on our demonstrated progress and achievements. However, with the increasing burden of cancer, we know that still more needs to be accomplished.

The 2011–2015 Ontario Cancer Plan

This Cancer Plan focuses on cancer control from the perspective of the patient, and is driven by the need to ensure quality across the system. Through this plan, we will:

This plan belongs to the entire cancer system. We all have ownership and everyone is responsible for ensuring this plan’s success.

strengthen our patient-centred approach to cancer control;
continue to improve the quality of the system; and
provide individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions affecting their care.

This Cancer Plan details what we will accomplish by 2015 and how we will accomplish it.

Building the Plan

Extensive Review and Consultation

Working groups were formed and workshops conducted with clinical and administrative leaders from across the province, and other partners including the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We reviewed evidence-based best practices. We talked to experts across Canada and around the world. We involved patients through online discussion forums and advisory panels.

Enablers

A separate Information Strategy is being created, underscoring the importance of information in delivering on our strategic priorities and realizing our goals. Other enablers including research, surveillance, and evidence-based standards and guidelines underpin and are reflected in each of the initiatives and strategic priorities.