April is Cancer Month - A reminder from Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec that patients are THE priority in the fight against cancer

MONTREAL, April 3, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec would like to point out that April is Cancer Month. During a press briefing today, the Coalition insisted that patients deserve to be THE priority in the fight against cancer and the organization of oncology care and services.

In order to promote the views of people with cancer, the Coalition's Patients and Survivors Committee is launching an initial ongoing survey entitled "If I were the Minister of Health" designed to obtain comments and suggestions from patients in terms of their past or current experience with respect to the care and services they receive as part of their treatment. The data gathered will be analyzed, under the promise of respondent anonymity, and the results will be periodically sent to the authorities of the health and social services system. Nicole Giroux, vice-chair of the Patients and Survivors Committee, insists "on the importance of listening to as well as taking into account the views of patients, whether they are denouncing unacceptable situations or highlighting good work performed in our health care system."

In the opinion of Coalition president Nathalie Rodrigue, T.M., the future of the Oncology Action Plan put forth by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, the implementation of which is expected to take place in a few weeks, "must devote much more attention to people with cancer, at every step of the decision-making process dealing with their concerns. They are in the best position to express the views of patients, especially regarding the organization of health care and services, the process for evaluating new cancer drugs, and the support measures provided to people struggling with the disease."

Furthermore, as we move into Cancer Month, Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec is seizing this opportunity to urge the Quebec government to promote recognition of the role and contribution of community organizations and patient associations. These organizations perform essential work that is valued by people with cancer. Unfortunately, due to insufficient funding, some of them have had to cease operating recently, and their recognition by care teams and by health and social services network institutions varies considerably from one establishment or region to another. All too often, the referral of patients and informal caregivers to community resources is left to the discretion of a mere handful of people. In the words of Nathalie Rodrigue, "that is why the Coalition is asking that a true partnership be developed between the community setting and the health and social services network as part of the Oncology Action Plan."

To complete the survey, click on the following link https://www.sondageonline.com/s/acdb859

We wish to remind everyone that the 5^th National Conference to Defeat Cancer, under the theme "Living with dignity", and with sœur Angèle acting as patron, is scheduled to take place on April 11 and 12 at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure. To register and consult the program, visit the Website www.coalitioncancer.com

About the Coalition

Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec was founded in 2001 to protect, support and give a voice to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, informal caregivers, their families and their loved ones, as well as cancer-related community organizations and health professionals) and to help organize the fight against cancer. Because of the contribution of these organizations and members, the Coalition's membership represents close to 1.5 million people.

SOURCE: Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec

Sylvie Piché
Communication Consultant
514 868-2009, poste 225
[email protected]

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