Cancer
The Cancer Strategic Clinical Network (SCN) brings together stakeholders from across the province from prevention, health care, research, and policy to lead and support evidence-informed improvements and bring innovation to health care.
Our members include: senior clinicians, operation and strategy leaders, policy makers, researchers, key community leaders, frontline staff, and patients and families from across Alberta. The network builds on strengths and partnerships to proactively engage patients, families, and communities in planning and implementing new approaches to service delivery that are meaningful and more accessible, including populations who may be disadvantaged. There are also collaborations with academic partners to create new knowledge and translate it into measurably improved health and health care for Albertans.
The formation of the Cancer SCN provides a formal means to work together in a better coordinated and goal oriented way.
Priorities and projects
The Cancer SCN has a number of initiatives underway to improve the health of Albertans and the care they receive. These initiatives focus on areas of need or value to Albertans such as tobacco control, more optimal palliative care, clinical pathways to improve patient outcomes and best practices.
In addition, the Cancer SCN oversees projects that have provincial impact and have the potential to improve access to service and optimizing resources.
Some examples of projects underway are:
Early diagnosis and management of lung cancer
Research and clinical experience from Alberta and elsewhere indicate that patients with the suspicion of lung cancer currently have unacceptable wait times to navigate through the diagnostic process. Collaborations with key stakeholders (including the Surgery Clinical Network and the Respiratory Clinical Network) will address barriers to the early diagnosis and management of lung cancer.
- New clinic improves access to lung cancer services (Feb 5, 2013)
- Program to deliver faster treatment (Dec 15, 2011)
Establishing provincewide central access for referral and triage for cancer
How patients enter the cancer system is not always clear, consistent, and accessible. To address these difficulties, the Cancer Clinical Network will work to create a standardized province-wide referral and triaging process that will improve access and decrease wait times.
How to get involved
If you are a patient interested in getting involved contact Patient Engagement to learn more.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the Cancer SCN contact Angela Estey via email:
Network leadership
- Dr. Neil Hagen
Senior Medical Director - Nancy Fraser
Vice President - Angela Estey
Executive Director - Dilshad Jina
Clinical Network Manager
More Information
- Alberta Cancer Foundation
- Alberta’s 5-year Health Action Plan
- Cancer – AHS service listing
- Cancer – My Health Alberta
- Canadian Cancer Society
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