Cancer is a complex disease that disrupts the lives of people affected by it. People with cancer and their loved ones rely on:
appropriate, coordinated and collaborative care
support and accompaniment, when necessary
information that is targeted, tailored and provided with compassion
Throughout their care journey, they will be accompanied by several people with various support roles. They will also be given an oncology passport. It will help them understand their treatment program and make it easier for health professionals to share information.
On this page:
Partnership between people affected by cancer and the health care network
The term “people affected by cancer” refers to people with cancer and their loved ones. To offer them appropriate care and services, they must be listened to and their needs and perspective taken into account. This will ensure there is a real partnership between the health care network and people affected by cancer.
Every person affected by cancer develops knowledge as a result of their experience. This knowledge comes from everything they went through during the illness, as well as the care and services they received.
People affected by cancer are invited to participate in:
their individual care and services journey, especially when their care plan is developed
quality assessment and improvement in the centres where they receive care and services
the organization of care and services by participating in coordination committees in health care institutions
The goal is to find out and integrate their perspective in order to build a better cancer care network.
Oncology nurse navigator
An oncology nurse navigator (ONN) supports people with cancer throughout their care journey. An ONN ensures continuity and coordination between care providers and helps make the medical team aware of their history, concerns, strengths and expectations.
The ONN’s role has four key functions:
assess the needs identified
teach and inform
support
coordinate care and services
Nurse practitioner specialized in adult and pediatric cancer care
As a result of their training and clinical experience, specialized nurse practitioners (SNPs) have extensive expertise that allows them to improve the care provided to people affected by cancer. SNPs address the complex needs of adults and young people in a variety of cancer care settings.
SNPs are increasingly integrated into cancer care teams. Their knowledge and unique contribution support people affected by cancer and medical teams.
Oncology passport
The oncology passport is an effective and free tool that helps people with cancer to:
understand their treatment plan
follow its progress
participate actively in it
It is also a visiting card that lets health care staff know that the person is undergoing active cancer treatment.
The booklet includes:
a quick reference tool with general information, such as emergency telephone numbers
information about symptoms that require immediate attention
spaces to write down appointments, health professionals’ names, the medications prescribed, the treatment plan, symptoms and test results
The oncology passport facilitates partnership between the person with cancer and health professionals while promoting self-management of the disease.