building a patient centric cancer system in canada

addressing the gaps in cancer care

Across Canada, people living with and beyond cancer navigate systems that often overlook their needs. Decisions about drugs, diagnostics, and delivery models are frequently made without considering the lived realities of patients, caregivers, and frontline teams. Policies tend to prioritize budgets over people. Data is often fragmented, and the pace of innovation has surpassed the processes designed to evaluate and fund it. This creates delays that limit access and deepen inequities.

In 2025, we observed the voices of patients, caregivers, advocates, healthcare professionals, decision-makers, HTA bodies, and industry partners. The same themes emerged repeatedly:

• Canadians living with cancer still face avoidable delays.

• Access to tests and therapies varies widely by province and even by hospital.

• Workforce shortages strain every part of the system.

• Real patient experience data is missing from major decisions.

• Collaboration across institutions and sectors is often fragmented and superficial.

• While precision oncology is advancing, Canada lacks the national alignment, infrastructure, and policy frameworks needed for effective and equitable implementation.

  
  

The Shift Towards a Policy Lab

In 2026, the Cancer Collaborative is taking a more proactive role in addressing these gaps. We are transitioning from a traditional advocacy group to a policy lab. This space is designed to test ideas, generate evidence, convene decision-makers, and support coherent, patient-centric policy development across the cancer system. Our work is grounded in a simple premise: if no one is responsible for connecting the dots, systems won’t change.

Our Three-Year Plan

Our three-year plan focuses on three priorities that will guide our work ahead:

1. Lived Experience & Data: Building a national evidence base that reflects the actual experiences of patients and caregivers. This evidence will inform decisions about access, funding, and system design.

   
   

2. Precision Oncology & Diagnostics: Strengthening the frameworks, pathways, and policies required to make precision oncology usable, sustainable, and equitable across Canada.

   
   

3. Access & Innovation: Improving decision-making processes—from HTA to funding to system adoption—so that innovation translates into timely, fair, and consistent access for those who need it.

   
   

Imagining a Better Future

Looking ahead, our 2026 strategic direction serves as both a roadmap and an invitation. We envision a cancer system where decisions are shaped by lived experiences, grounded in evidence, and built to keep pace with scientific progress. A system where access is not determined by geography, timing, or institutional capacity, but by what patients truly need.

We cannot achieve this alone. Together—across clinical practice, research, policy, advocacy, industry, and lived experience—we can build a cancer system that reflects reality, responds to evidence, and delivers care designed for the people it serves.

If you are a person living with cancer, a caregiver, clinician, pathologist, health system leader, health economist, HTA reviewer, policymaker, payer, advocate, nonprofit, or industry partner (pharma, biotech, diagnostics, AI, or related), and you want to be part of this work, we invite you to connect with us.

Together, we can create a cancer system that finally works the way it should—for the people it is meant to serve.

The Importance of Collaboration

Collaboration is essential in addressing the challenges faced by the cancer care system. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, we can foster innovative solutions that are informed by real experiences. This collaborative approach will help bridge the gaps that currently exist and ensure that every voice is heard.

Engaging Patients and Caregivers

Engaging patients and caregivers in the decision-making process is crucial. Their insights can provide valuable perspectives that enhance the effectiveness of policies and practices. By prioritizing their experiences, we can create a system that is truly patient-centric.

Leveraging Technology and Innovation

The integration of technology and innovation into cancer care can significantly improve outcomes. By harnessing advancements in precision medicine, data analytics, and telehealth, we can enhance access to care and streamline processes. This will ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate treatments.

Building a Sustainable Future

Sustainability is key to the long-term success of the cancer care system. By focusing on equitable access and efficient resource allocation, we can create a framework that supports ongoing innovation and improvement. This will ultimately benefit patients and caregivers alike.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As we move forward, it is essential to remain committed to our vision of a patient-centric cancer system. We must continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of patients and caregivers. By working together, we can build a system that is responsive, equitable, and effective.

Let us unite in this effort to create a better future for those affected by cancer. Together, we can ensure that the cancer care system works for everyone, providing the support and resources needed to navigate this challenging journey.