CAPO CAPO News

Who is CAPO? Meet Rahel Gebremichael Ago

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:08:42 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO gives me a sense of professional home within psychosocial oncology. As a social worker and junior Global Health researcher working at the intersection of cancer care, psychosocial well-being and global health, I feel connected to a community that values both scientific rigour and human experience."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Members of all disciplines, areas of expertise and those with lived experience are encouraged to share a memory or highlight from their time with CAPO. Not sure how to start? We’ve got you covered. Simply finish one or more of the following sentences:

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

World Psycho-Oncology Day – April 9, 2026 | A Day to Celebrate Canada's Legacy

Christian Oriaku — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:54:40 GMT

I am writing with great excitement to invite you to take part in the 2026 World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD), taking place on April 9th, and to do so as members of a community with a truly extraordinary legacy to celebrate.

This initiative is led by our IPOS colleagues and represents one of our most important annual opportunities to elevate the visibility and impact of psychosocial oncology globally. At its heart, WPOD honours the extraordinary legacy of the late Dr. Jimmie Holland, whose pioneering work laid the very foundation of our field. But as we mark this day, I also want to take a moment to recognize how profoundly Canada has shaped psycho-oncology, not just at home, but around the world.

Canada's contributions to this field are remarkable. It was Canadian researchers and clinicians who championed distress as the sixth vital sign, fundamentally shifting how cancer care systems worldwide think about screening and responding to psychological distress. It was Canadian scientists and clinicians who developed and rigorously tested some of most widely disseminated psychosocial interventions in oncology. CAPO members have co-led international clinical practice guideline panels, shaped global standards of care, and produced research that has improved the lives of people with cancer far beyond our borders. We have punched well above our weight and WPOD is an occasion to stand tall in that legacy.

WPOD affirms what every person in this community knows to be true: that holistic care for people with cancer must place mental and emotional wellbeing alongside physical health, not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone. It calls on all of us, researchers, clinicians, educators, advocates, and trainees, to raise awareness, engage policymakers, and push for the integration of psychosocial care into cancer care systems at every level.

This year, IPOS has launched a multilingual promotional video titled Make It Visible to support awareness-raising efforts worldwide. I encourage you to watch and share it, and to use the campaign hashtags #WPOD2026 and #maketheinvisiblevisible across your social media channels on April 9th.

There are many ways to get involved:

Share information with your networks and post on social media using #WPOD2026
Organize an activity at your institution — a symposium, awareness talk, support group, patient information session, or media outreach
Submit your event or initiative for potential promotion on the IPOS website and social media
Download the WPOD Logo Toolkit for use in your local promotions

Please note that you do not need to be an IPOS member to submit or participate, this is a truly open, global invitation.

I hope each of you will find a meaningful way to mark April 9th. Whether you organize a public event, post on social media, or simply take a moment to reflect on why this work matters, you will be contributing to a worldwide movement — one that Canada has helped lead, and one that CAPO will continue to champion.

For more details, please visit the website.

Let's make April 9, 2026 a day of inspiration, education, and action — for our field, for our patients, and for the remarkable legacy Canada has built in psychosocial oncology.

With gratitude and pride,

Dr. Sheila Garland

President, Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO).

Who is CAPO? Meet Lorna Larsen

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:05:49 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO has given me the opportunity to share my story, my daughter Shan’s story, and the work of Team Shan Breast Cancer Awareness for Young Women. CAPO connections have opened the door to both provincial and national AYA cancer initiatives allowing me to make a difference for AYA across Canada. My most meaningful experience was the 2019 conference in Banff. I was honoured to be selected as one of the recipients of the Patients Included award for my family advocacy work. I continue to share Team Shan efforts to address disparities in young women with breast cancer, and reduce help seeking barriers to an earlier diagnosis. I speak for young women not yet diagnosed and voices that can no longer be heard."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Celestina Martopullo

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:58:14 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO strengthens my sense of professional identity and solidarity. It allows me to deeply connect and collaborate, with highly committed experts in clinical, research, education, advocacy areas of cancer patient care. My most meaningful CAPO experience relates to joined efforts in heightening resources and developing recommendations relevant to interventions in patients’ care, education, body of research and scholarly information. It is gratifying to share experience and engage in promoting excellence in clinical capacity building, training curricula, research studies - in the service of enhancing care for everyone impacted by cancer."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Emma Kearns

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:49:11 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to learn from an engaged community dedicated to improving outcomes for every person diagnosed with and impacted by cancer in Canada."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Megan Easton

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:08:37 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to share the pediatric caregiver perspective and connect to a vibrant community dedicated to advancing psychosocial oncology."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

International Childhood Cancer Day

Christian Oriaku — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

On this International Childhood Cancer Day, I’m thinking about what it takes for a child to heal from cancer. The ICCD mission is to advance equality in access to care for every child with cancer, everywhere. But what should be included in that care?

When my daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at three years old, I was laser-focused on the medical treatment that would save her life. What I didn’t know then was that she needed more than medicine. She needed support for her whole, unique, complicated self as she navigated a life-changing disease.

That’s why I advocate for improved access to psychosocial care in childhood cancer as a board member of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO).

Based on my experience, I believe that psychosocial care should be available to the whole family. A child’s cancer diagnosis profoundly affects the health and wellbeing of parents, caregivers, and siblings from the moment of diagnosis long past the end of treatment.

Too many children and families struggle to receive cancer care that looks beyond the disease to see the needs of the whole person. CAPO is working to change that, and I’m proud to be part of that mission.

Who is CAPO? Meet Sitara Sharma

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:20:24 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to learn from/collaborate with peers and leaders across psychosocial oncology in ways that support my growth as a trainee and enable real-world impact."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

World Cancer Day 2026 – United by Unique

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:16:06 GMT

Today is World Cancer Day. The theme "United by Unique" reminds us that behind every cancer diagnosis lies a unique human story.

As President of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO), I see daily why people-centred care matters. Cancer touches millions of lives in countless ways, but it doesn't define who we are. Every person's experience is unique – yet we're united in our belief that quality cancer care must look beyond the disease to see the person before the patient.

Psychosocial oncology ensures that care fully integrates each individual's unique needs with compassion and empathy. From the shock of diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care, people navigate profound emotional, social, and existential challenges alongside physical ones.

Too many Canadians still lack access to evidence-based psychosocial support. CAPO is committed to changing this through innovation, advocacy, and education – from digital health interventions to community-based programs.

This June, join us in St. John's for CAPO 2026: "A New Horizon: Expanding the Access and Impact of Psychosocial Oncology." Together, let's rewrite the future of cancer care – one where the unique needs of people and communities come first.

In solidarity,

Dr. Sheila Garland

President, Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology

Full Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Who is CAPO? Meet Danielle Cameron

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:25:57 GMT

"What I bring to CAPO is the patient voice and experience."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Perri Tutelman

Christian Oriaku — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:44:29 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to connect with a multidisciplinary network of patient advocates, researchers, and clinicians who are all working together towards one common goal - to improve the health and wellbeing by every Canadian diagnosed with cancer."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Sylvie Lambert

Christian Oriaku — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:26:31 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO gives me a sense of community and a sense that we are working together in advancing psychosocial oncology care from all perspectives — patients and families, research, and clinical practice. Belonging to CAPO allows me to connect with colleagues from across the country, collaborate on common projects, and share knowledge and experiences. My most meaningful CAPO experience has been engaging in interdisciplinary discussions that have shaped how I think about psychosocial oncology, particularly through my involvement in the Research Committee and other collaborative activities. CAPO has connected me to a network of passionate professionals in psychosocial oncology. What I bring to CAPO is my passion for psychosocial oncology, my strong focus on fostering collaboration, and my commitment to advancing cutting-edge research that enhances patient and family care and support."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Gary Rodin: The human crisis in cancer: a Lancet Oncology Commission

Christian Oriaku — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 22:06:34 GMT

Amid unprecedented scientific progress in oncology, a growing body of evidence reveals a parallel and profound crisis in the human experience of cancer care. Despite overall survival outcomes improving, the systems designed to deliver care increasingly fall short in addressing the emotional, relational, and existential dimensions of cancer. Although examples of compassionate and attentive care can be found in every setting, patients and families across global contexts continue to report being unheard, unsupported, and, at times, actively harmed by care structures that prioritise technical precision over human presence. This Lancet Oncology Commission proposes that the human crisis of cancer is not defined by pathology, mortality, or cause, but by the erosion of meaning, connection, and compassion in the experience of cancer.

LLSC at CANO 2025: Travel to treatment, and designing digital tools

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:03:01 GMT

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) made multiple presentations to the membership of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) at its annual conference, this year in Banff, Alberta.

In a CANO/LLSC/CCS joint symposium titled "The Cost of Cancer and Travel to Treatment: Understanding the Real-World Burden and Advocating for Change," LLSC Advocacy Manager Christina Sit presented on recent data LLSC has gathered on the financial, psychosocial and other costs of travel required to access blood cancer treatment in Canada.

Who is CAPO? Meet Josée Savard

Christian Oriaku — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:40:31 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to connect with passionate experts and establish collaborations to contribute to impactful psychosocial oncology research that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of people with cancer."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Eleanor Deckert

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:21:30 GMT

"CAPO has connected me with the resources I needed. I know that the scientific people are doing their job to take care of my body.

Q: Who will take care of "Me"? My mind and emotions? A: CAPO Psychosocial Oncologists.

What I bring to CAPO: my memoir "10 Days in April... a detour through breast cancer" and also public speaking."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Fred Ashbury

Christian Oriaku — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:39:37 GMT

"Identify, learn from, and hopefully collaborate with clinicians and scientists interested in developing (and publishing the results of) interventions to mitigate the psychosocial sequelae of a cancer diagnosis, during therapy and post-treatment of the cancer. I am particularly interested in innovative strategies that optimize the application of artificial intelligence to help streamline the clinical process wherein experts screen cancer patients who require professional psychosocial care (and to the extent possible, help identify those whose “voices” are hidden from that clinical process)."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Sheila Garland

Christian Oriaku — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:15:13 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO has connected me to role models and people who are creating change and building a better future for those impacted by cancer in Canada."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Carmen Loiselle

Christian Oriaku — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:48:29 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to so many wonderful people. In my roles as clinician, researcher, advocate, and past CAPO president, I have had the privilege to interact with truly exceptional individuals. Their humanity continues to shine through all CAPO initiatives and I am most grateful for that!"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Sevtap Savas

Christian Oriaku — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:15:59 GMT

"What I bring to CAPO is my entire knowledge and skill set, including leadership, advocacy, and patient and family voices."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Rosanna Strong

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:52:19 GMT

"What I bring to CAPO is the perspective of a remote part of Canada, a cancer thriver, and member of a non-profit that supports women with cancer in the NWT. The most meaningful CAPO experience, as a non-profit, was making a connection with Dr. Anna Singleton of the University of Sydney and forming partnership for a research project in the NWT to support breast cancer survivors."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Sophie Lebel

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 20:32:07 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to amazing colleagues and mentors."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Leah Stephenson

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:12:52 GMT

"What I bring to CAPO is passion to advocate for expanded access to psychosocial supports for oncology patients and their loved ones, even during the diagnosis"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Annett Körner

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 18:34:29 GMT

"CAPO has connected me with a close-knit community of people deeply committed to increasing access to meaningful and effective psychosocial support. What I find especially inspiring is the diversity of ways in which members contribute - whether as clinicians, individuals with a personal or family history of cancer, service directors, researchers, or often wearing several of these hats at once. It’s truly beautiful to witness the collective effort - how each person’s unique strengths and contributions come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Chantale Thurston

Christian Oriaku — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:21:26 GMT

"I was fortunate to be able to attend CAPO 2022 from CPAC sponsorship. I loved seeing all the amazing research that is being done for patients. From this experience I connected with a researcher and have been asked to contribute to many research projects, which has led to great collaborations and insightful work in the young adult cancer space. This would not have been possible without CAPO! Now I am a part of the advocacy committee, which promotes psychosocial oncology work in Canada and has been great getting to know clinicians and other people with lived experience!"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Danielle Petricone-Westwood

Christian Oriaku — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:40:35 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO throughout my training and into my career has allowed me to make valuable connections with psychosocial-oncology clinicians and researchers across Canada. CAPO's community is welcoming and supportive, and works together to support patients and families impacted by cancer. It is also always fun to attend the annual conference and reconnect with colleagues across the country!"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Jonathan Avery

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 19:47:07 GMT

"A wonderful place to connect and learn from others working in supportive care and/or psychosocial oncology!"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Gilla Shapiro

Christian Oriaku — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:17:56 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to researchers and clinicians across Canada who are similarly committed to preventing cancer and improving patient care."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Brooke Russell

Peter Traversa — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 20:44:38 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to a passionate community of psychosocial oncology professionals, from trainees to established researchers and clinicians. Through CAPO, I’ve built meaningful connections and valuable collaborations. I’m grateful to be part of this dedicated community."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Nicole Alberts

Peter Traversa — Wed, 28 May 2025 16:49:29 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to a vibrant community of clinicians and researchers committed to advancing psychosocial care for Canadians of all ages affected by cancer."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Josh McGonegal

Peter Traversa — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:08:40 GMT

"My most impactful experience with CAPO was participating in the CAPO Webinar Series titled “How Can Research Culture Adapt to Engage Patients and Caregiver Partners More Effectively in the Future?” During this event, I received invaluable feedback and guidance on my PhD research, which I anticipate will play a crucial role in shaping my career as a researcher."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Melba D'Souza

Peter Traversa — Thu, 15 May 2025 21:44:17 GMT

"My most meaningful CAPO experience was the incredible resources, information and recommendations for psychosocial approaches that are valuable to make informed decisions. I am grateful for sharing expertise, dissemination and evidence that is the foundation of significant impact."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Dr. Madeline Li

Peter Traversa — Wed, 07 May 2025 16:46:36 GMT

"My most meaningful CAPO experience was listening to a keynote lecture on Caring for the Soul in Cancer at CAPO 2025 and realizing that psychosocial oncology is my professional home and CAPO is my family. Marking its 40th birthday this year, my CAPO family includes remarkable parents, wonderful siblings and I'm now even old enough to have amazing children."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Gary Rodin

Peter Traversa — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:07:30 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO has connected me to a caring community of scholars, clinicians, educators and activists who are working together to improve the lives of people affected by cancer in Canada and throughout the world."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Joan L. Bottorff

Peter Traversa — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:43:32 GMT

"Through CAPO, I’ve connected with an exceptional group of dedicated professionals in psychosocial oncology who are profoundly impacting cancer care across Canada. Their support and collaboration has been instrumental in shaping my research and academic career. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of this group."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Jackie Bender

Peter Traversa — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:34:22 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to a wonderful network of like-minded peers who are striving to enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of all Canadians affected by cancer."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Ifeyinwa Onwukeme

Peter Traversa — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:54:12 GMT

"My most meaningful CAPO experience was when my research work was accepted as a 90-minute workshop and I was to present in CAPO 23. 4. CAPO connected me to International Psycho- Oncology and I am a member and enjoying all the benefits of membership."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Dr. Don Desserud

Peter Traversa — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:18:04 GMT

"I was diagnosed with a variant of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the fall of 2015. After six months of chemotherapy at the QEH Cancer Clinic in PEI I was told that I was now “free of any clinical signs” of cancer. Nevertheless, I would be followed up by my oncologist every few months to check to see whether the cancer had returned. The entire time I was undergoing treatment, I imagined what it would be like when my treatment was over and I was “cured.” I didn’t imagine that the psychological effects of having had cancer and worrying that it might come back would come to dominate my life. This is why attending the CAPO annual conference in 2019 was so helpful. There I learned that most if not all cancer patients experience the same issues. Knowing that I was not alone with this fear and that there were people who could help came as an immense relief. This was my most meaningful CAPO experience."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Fuchsia Howard

Peter Traversa — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:37:24 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to connect and collaborate with leading scholars and clinicians nationwide, all dedicated to enhancing care and support for those affected by cancer"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Joshua Tulk.

Peter Traversa — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 18:51:10 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO allows me to build a solid foundation of skills and connections as a new clinician-scientist in psychosocial oncology"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Linda E. Carlson

Peter Traversa — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 22:27:16 GMT

"My most meaningful CAPO experience was the first time I attended, in 1998, in Thunder Bay. I immediately felt part of a supportive community of likeminded people in a casual, fun environment. It kept me coming back year after year!"

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Dr. Karen Zhang

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:36:01 GMT

"Belonging to CAPO gives me an opportunity to connect with incredible researchers, clinicians and administrators practicing in psychosocial oncology."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Who is CAPO? Meet Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov

Peter Traversa — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:53:14 GMT

"CAPO has connected me to a community of professionals, extending coast to coast to coast. Within that community, over the course of decades now, I have found mentors, collaborators and friends. Our lives are enriched by our connections; CAPO has made my life richer."

Who is CAPO?

The CAPO Communications committee is seeking video or quote submissions from our members in support of the “Who is CAPO?” campaign.

Belonging to CAPO gives me ____.
Belonging to CAPO allows me to ___.
My most meaningful CAPO experience was ____.
CAPO has connected me to ____.
What I bring to CAPO is ____.

Regardless of whether you would like to submit a video or text message, you will be required to complete the following form and submit your files electronically.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

2025 CAPO Late breaking call for poster abstracts

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 19:05:49 GMT

2025 CAPO Late breaking call for poster abstracts

Abstracts are due by February 14, 2025
The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) is accepting abstracts for posters for the 40th Annual Conference to be held in Toronto, Ontario from April 23 to 25. The conference will not be offered virtually this year.

We invite abstracts focusing on the human experience of illness and the soul of medicine in this age of biomedicine. Through an interdisciplinary lens, we endeavor to illuminate the c between mind, body, and spirit in cancer care. Submissions can be reports of observational
studies and clinical trials, innovative programs and service delivery models, systematic reviews, study protocols, clinical guidelines and best practice and local, regional, national and international approaches to build capacity in research, education and clinical care. Patients as co-presenters are encouraged where funding is available to ensure their participation. Patient oriented content is also encouraged.

LEARN MORE

SUBMIT HERE

CAPO Board of Directors Call for Nominations - Closes March 28, 2025

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:27:23 GMT

1. The spirit and intent of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology is to have the Board represent certain professional groups, and for the Board to have a national/regional character. In thinking about qualified people for nomination, please give some consideration to what area/region of the country they would represent.

2. You are entitled to nominate any full, patient/family or retired member (in good standing). A member may be nominated for a Board position only if the member has held active membership status for two (2) years prior to being nominated. Members may self-nominate.

3. Membership on the Board requires attendance at one meeting per year (minimum, when held in person) and several video conferences. The face-to-face meeting is to be held just prior to the Annual Conference (when permitted). In addition, Board members are expected to Chair or assist with the Standing Committees of the Board or to stand for election to the Executive. The Executive is composed of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The amount of work varies, but is not excessive. Those you nominate must be willing to participate actively! Board membership becomes official only after the slate of directors is presented and approved at the Annual General Meeting of CAPO members.

4. You must be a full, patient/family or retired member in good standing of the Association in order to nominate and for your nomination(s) to be accepted. To be eligible to serve, the nominee must have been a CAPO member for the two years preceding the nomination.

The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than ten(10) members and no more than fourteen (14) persons, consisting of no less than one (1), and no more than three (3), representatives of the following disciplines of social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, pastoral/spiritual care, rehabilitative services and patient/family representative, and one (1) member at large. Annually the board will set the number of positions available within the required ten (10) to fourteen (14) members.

We have an opening for five (5) positions to be filled in this year's election for the 2025 - 2027 term. The board endeavours to ensure that a balance of disciplines is filled to meet the current needs of the organization. Our particular interest is in seeking members to represent spiritual care and medicine

Nominations are being sought from the following fields:

Spiritual/pastoral Care – Further nominations are actively sought.
Medicine – Further nominations are actively sought.
Patient/family – Further nominations are actively sought.
Psychology – Further nominations are actively sought.
Social Work – Further nominations are actively sought.
Nursing – Further nominations are actively sought.
Rehabilitation Services – Further nominations are actively sought.

DOWNLOAD FORM HERE

Focus Group Invitation: Healthcare Engagement Strategy Development Consultation and Validation - Canadian Cancer Society

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:03:36 GMT

Focus Group Invitation

Healthcare Engagement Strategy Development Consultation and Validation – Canadian Cancer Society

SUBJECT: Your input requested: Canadian Cancer Society’s Healthcare Engagement Strategy

Dear CAPO members,

You are invited to participate in a virtual focus group as part of developing the Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) Healthcare Engagement Strategy. Engaging and collaborating with healthcare professionals is critical to CCS and helps ensure that our work is credible and relevant. With this strategy, we are building on the work that CCS has already done in this area with the aim of improving and enhancing our engagement activities. As a member of CAPO, your feedback and input will be very valuable to inform CCS’s engagement strategy. We hope that the focus group will also provide you with an opportunity to share some of the barriers you face in engaging with charities like CCS, and to potentially become more involved with our work.

Each focus group will take place via Zoom (or you can join by telephone). There are two different focus group time slots available:
- Thursday, January 23, 1-2 pm Eastern Time
- Monday, January 27, 12-1 pm Eastern Time

Please register for a focus group here

The deadline to register is Wednesday, January 22, 2025. There are a maximum of 8 spots in each focus group, and spots are allocated on a first come first served basis. The focus groups are available in either English or French.

If you have any questions about the focus group or CCS’s work, please contact Jenni Haggie

********************* Français ********************************
SUJET: Nous voulons vous entendre—Stratégie d’engagement avec les professionnels de la santé (Société canadienne du cancer)

Cher membre de l’ACOP
La Société canadienne du cancer développe actuellement une Stratégie d’engagement avec les professionnels de la santé. Nous vous invitons de participer à un groupe de discussion virtuel dans le cadre du développement de la stratégie. L’engagement avec les professionnels de la santé est important pour la Société canadienne du cancer et nous aide à assurer que notre travail soit crédible et pertinent. Avec le développement de cette stratégie, nous allons continuer le travail que la SCC a déjà réalisé dans ce domaine, avec l’objectif de renforcer nos activités d’engagement. En tant que membre de l’ACOP, votre feedback sera important pour nous aider à développer la stratégie d’engagement. Nous espérons également que le groupe de discussion vous permettra de partager toute barrière à votre engagement avec des organismes à but non lucratif comme la SCC, et potentiellement de vous engager davantage dans notre travail.

Chaque groupe de discussion aura lieu sur Zoom (il sera aussi possible de se joindre à la réunion en utilisant votre téléphone). Il y a deux créneaux horaires de disponibles :
- Le jeudi 23 janvier, 13h00-14h00 (heure de l’Est)
- Le lundi 27 janvier, 12h00-13h00 (heure de l’Est)

Pour vous inscrire à un groupe de discussion, veuillez utiliser ce lien

La date limite pour l’inscription est le mercredi 22 janvier 2025. Il y a un maximum de huit places de disponibles dans chaque groupe de discussion, et les places seront affectées selon le principe du premier arrivé, premier servi. Il sera possible de participer aux groupes de discussion en français ou en anglais.

Si vous avez des questions à propos des groupes de discussion ou du travail de la SSC, veuillez contacter Jenni Haggie

Bring Biology to Cancer Survivorship

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 20:49:27 GMT

CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is seeking existing cancer survivorship researchers and those from other disciplines who are new to this field to participate in an in-person workshop on “Bringing Biology to Cancer Survivorship” on March 31-April 1, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. We are seeking experts in any of the following research areas, whose expertise could be applicable to the area of cancer survivorship:

Ageing
Biological and molecular sciences
Cardiology
Data science and bioinformatics
Epidemiology
Indigenous Peoples’ health
Microbiome
Neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry
Nutrition and exercise sciences
Oncology
Pediatric and young adults
Rehabilitation sciences
Reproductive and sexual health
Respiratory health

Researchers interested in participating in this workshop should submit an expression of interest via the survey links below by February 3, 2025. Costs associated with travel and accommodation for the workshop will be covered by ICR.

English: Use this link

French: Use this link

Please also note that ICR’s Team Grant: Bringing Biology to Cancer Prevention is now open. Please note the following resources regarding this new funding opportunity:

Applicant Webinar Registration :

Jan 29, 12:30-2 PM ET |Register Here
Feb 5, 12:30-2 PM ET |Register Here

Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2024 special report on the economic impact of cancer in Canada was released December 9, 2024

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:17:05 GMT

Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2024 special report on the economic impact of cancer in Canada was released

Developed in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, with data provided by provincial and territorial cancer registries and analyses conducted by Statistics Canada and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, this publication reveals the substantial financial toll of a cancer diagnosis in Canada, with the average cancer patient grappling with nearly $33,000 in costs including out-of-pocket expenses and lost income during treatment and recovery.

The report is the first of its kind, providing a glimpse into the economic impact of cancer both on patients and the healthcare system itself, including future estimated costs.

Please see link to infographic for other key findings from this report. For more, please visit our media release.

The full report, along with supporting resources, can be found at www.cancer.ca/statistics

We encourage you to share these resources with your networks. Please accept our apologies if you have received this announcement from multiple sources. Join or follow the conversation online using #CancerStats

Camp Erin Toronto - Where children and teens learn to grieve

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 20:06:17 GMT

A note from our friends at Camp Erin.

We are excited to share with you the details for Camp Erin 2025! As valued community partners, we deeply appreciate your ongoing support and collaboration in serving grieving families.

Below, you will find our 2025 camp poster and save-the-date cards for Camp Erin. We kindly request that you share these materials with your colleagues, the families you serve, and anyone who might benefit from Camp Erin and our programs.

These cards can be printed and included in grief packages, newsletters, or distributed during counseling sessions to ensure that all bereaved families and children have the opportunity to attend and benefit from Camp Erin.

Camp Erin is dedicated to providing a safe space for children and teens to explore their grief, learn coping skills, and connect with others who have experienced similar losses. With your help, we can reach even more families in need and extend our support to a broader community.

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of grieving children and families.

Gratefully,

Hannah and the Camp Erin team

Email: torontocamperin@gmail.com

Phone: 416.977.4247

Website: www.camperintoronto.com

Click for Camp Poster and Save the Date cards

CAPO member survey poster

Peter Traversa — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 18:52:01 GMT

How aligned are we with our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan? @SydneyW0415, @sitarashar,& Dr. Doris Howell recently “took a pulse” of CAPO as it stands – check out their poster for key insights into the organization’s value and priorities!

The 39th Annual CAPO Conference has been published

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:40:20 GMT

Abstract Proceedings of the 39th Annual CAPO Conference – Building Hope: Integrating Sustainable, Innovative and Accessible Care in Psychosocial Oncology, held in June 2024, have been published in Current Oncology.

To view publication online, click here

To view publication PDF, click here

Canadian Cancer Statistics 2024/Statistiques canadiennes sur le cancer 2024

Thu, 23 May 2024 17:13:05 GMT

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to inform you this year’s Canadian Cancer Statistics publication was developed in the form of a peer-reviewed article Projected estimates of cancer in Canada in 2024, which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on May 13, 2024.

The article provides 2024 projected estimates of incidence and mortality by sex and geographic region for 23 cancer types. The link to the full article, media release and supporting resources, can be found at www.cancer.ca/statistics. Key findings of the article are summarized in the infographic below.

We encourage you to share these resources with your networks.

Join or follow the conversation online using #cancerstats

_____________________________________

Bonjour,

J’ai le plaisir de vous informer que cette année, une publication Statistiques canadiennes sur le cancer a été rédigée sous la forme d’un article évalué par les pairs, intitulé Estimations prévues du cancer au Canada en 2024, qui est paru dans le Journal de l’Association médicale canadienne (JAMC) le 13 mai 2024.

L’article fournit les estimations projetées en 2024 de l’incidence et de la mortalité, par sexe et par région géographique, pour 23 types de cancer. Le lien vers l'article complet, le communiqué de presse et les ressources complémentaires se trouve à l'adresse suivante : www.cancer.ca/statistiques. Les principales conclusions de cet article sont résumées dans l’infographique ci-joint.

Nous vous encourageons à partager ces ressources avec vos réseaux.

Suivez la conversation en ligne ou prenez-y part en utilisant #cancerstats

2024 Current Oncology Student Travel Award Winner - Bryan Gascon

Thu, 16 May 2024 15:03:27 GMT

We are pleased to announce that Bryan Gascon is our 2024 winner for his paper titled: Two-step screening for depression and anxiety in patients with cancer: A retrospective validation study using real-world clinical data.

Bryan is a 3^rd year student in the MD-PhD program at the University of Toronto. Prior to the MD-PhD program, Bryan completed a MSc degree in cancer psychiatry research with Dr. Madeline Li, where he studied the impact of distress screening programs on health outcomes in patients with cancer. Bryan is currently completing his MD-PhD in health systems research, where he aims to use implementation science approaches to advance global oncology programs in low- and middle-income countries.

Bryan presented his paper at the CAPO Conference in June, 2024.

2024 Early Career Investigator Award Recipient: Dr. Gilla Shapiro

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:59:18 GMT

Dr. Gilla Shapiro is a Psychologist and Clinician Scientist at the Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and an Assistant Professor (Status-Only) at the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science, and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge and her dual-degree Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Hertie School of Governance. After completing a PhD in Clinical and Health Psychology at McGill University, she pursued a clinical research fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. READ MORE HERE

2024 CAPO Research Excellence Award Recipient: Dr. Sylvie Lambert

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:55:30 GMT

Sylvie Lambert, RN, PhD is Associate Professor and Associate Director of Research at the Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University; and Scientist at the St. Mary’s Research Centre, Montreal. Sylvie is also the recipient of a CIHR Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in self-care and illness self-management support interventions. In this position, the objectives of her research programs include: 1) developing and evaluating low-cost self-care and illness self-management interventions that are sustainable to enhance translation in practice, 2) implementing real-world patient-reported outcome (PRO) and caregiver-reported outcome (CRO) screening programs, 3) adapting evidence-based self-management interventions to the needs of patients from a culturally and linguistically diverse background and their caregivers, and 4) using advanced psychometric approaches for improving the precision and efficiency of outcome evaluations. One of Dr Lambert’s key study is TEMPO, which stands for a tailored web-based self-management and physical activity program for men with prostate cancer and their caregivers. READ MORE HERE

2024 CAPO Education Excellence Award Recipient: Andréa Maria Laizner, RN, PhD

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:53:29 GMT

Andréa Maria Laizner, RN, PhD is a Nursing Practice Consultant for Research in the Nursing Directorate of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She is an Assistant Professor (part-time) in the Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University as well as is an Associate Investigator in the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Her vast career in nursing, both in academic hospital settings and in the community, sparked a life-long interest in psychosocial oncology, clinical practice, education, administration and research. As a result, she mentors students, nurses and other clinicians in research related activities and knowledge translation. Believing in networks, her collaborations focused on family functioning, comfort and symptom management in vulnerable populations, using different interventions such as providing information and/ or stress reduction strategies either in-person, via information booklets or via web-based applications or the Opal patient-facing app. READ MORE HERE

LAST TWO DAYS to save on Conference registration - Early Bird pricing ends tomorrow- April 19th.

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:19:41 GMT

@CAPO_ACOP LAST TWO DAYS to save on Conference registration - Early Bird pricing ends tomorrow - April 19th., 11:59 ET

Early bird pricing:

$700 - Regular Member - Early Bird

$825 - Non-Member - Early Bird

$850 - Non-Member Join & Go - Early Bird

$450 - Student Member - Early Bird

$525 - Student Non-Member - Early Bird

$510 - Student Non-Member Join & Go - Early Bird

$450 - Patient Advocate Member - Early Bird

$525 - Patient Advocate Non-Member - Early Bird

$530 - Patient Advocate Non-Member Join & Go - Early Bird

REGISTER HERE: https://www.capo.ca/event-5515191

2024 Current Oncology Student Travel Award - CLOSED

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:52:59 GMT

2024 Current Oncology Student Travel Award

The Current Oncology Student Travel Award is established by Current Oncology to acknowledge the exemplary work of a trainee presenting psycho-oncology research and to promote the dissemination of information related to psychosocial care.

This annual CAPO award has been developed in partnership with Current Oncology to honour a CAPO student member who has demonstrated excellence in their submission of an original paper. This award will be given annually to coincide with CAPO’s Annual Conference.

This award is open to students and may reflect one or more of either clinical practice, education or research in psychosocial oncology.

The recipient of the award will receive $1000.00 to assist with travel to the CAPO Conference. The winner will be asked to present the paper at the conference and registration fees will be waived.

Procedures and Eligibility:

The applicant must be a current member in good standing of CAPO at the time of the application;
The applicant must be registered as a full-time or part-time student (undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate levels) or within six months of completion of their schooling;
The recipient of the award must agree to be present at the annual CAPO Conference with a 15-minute presentation of their paper;
The recipient of the award must agree to submit their paper for peer-review in Current Oncology to be published if accepted (i.e., the paper cannot have been published elsewhere). Publication fees will be waived.

2024 CAPO Late breaking call for poster abstracts

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:20:40 GMT

Abstracts are due by 11:59 PST, April 5, 2024

The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) is accepting abstracts for posters for the 39th Annual Conference to be held in Calgary, Alberta from June 6 to 7, 2024. The conference will not be offered virtually this year.

The CAPO 2024 Scientific Committee will select abstracts for additional posters by April 26, 2024. The submitting author will receive an email with the decision. If a primary author cannot attend the conference, that author should assign a replacement. The scientific committee reserves the right to reallocate abstracts as necessary. All presenting authors must register for the conference.

For abstract-related inquiries, please contact manager@capo.ca

SUBMIT A POSTER ABSTRACT HERE

VIEW ABSTRACT GUIDELINES HERE

CAPO Board of Directors Call for Nominations - Closes March 29

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:46:18 GMT

The spirit and intent of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology is to have Board representation across many disciplines, while also considering a national and regional composition, to further support our vision and mission.

The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) promotes an equitable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, and culturally safe environment for all members to feel welcomed, valued, and integrated. CAPO ensures that all voices are heard.

We have openings for five (5) positions to be filled in this years election for the 2024 - 2026 term. The board endeavours to ensure that a balance of disciplines is filled to meet the current needs of the organization. With our most recent bylaw amendments approved at a special meeting of our members, we are pleased to open a second position as a Director for a patient/family representative starting this term.

Nominations are being sought from the following fields:

Rehabilitation Services, Member at large, Spiritual/pastoral Care, Medicine, Patient/family, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing

Our particular interest is in seeking members to represent rehabilitation, spiritual/pastoral care and member at large

DOWNLOAD FORM HERE

2024 Current Oncology Student Travel Award

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:20:36 GMT

2024 Current Oncology Student Travel Award

The deadline to submit is March 25, 2024

The Current Oncology Student Travel Award is established by Current Oncology to acknowledge the exemplary work of a trainee presenting psycho-oncology research and to promote the dissemination of information related to psychosocial care.

This annual CAPO award has been developed in partnership with Current Oncology to honour a CAPO student member who has demonstrated excellence in their submission of an original paper. This award will be given annually to coincide with CAPO’s Annual Conference.

This award is open to students and may reflect one or more of either clinical practice, education or research in psychosocial oncology.

The recipient of the award will receive $1000.00 to assist with travel to the CAPO Conference. The winner will be asked to present the paper at the conference and registration fees will be waived.

Procedures and Eligibility:

The applicant must be a current member in good standing of CAPO at the time of the application;
The applicant must be registered as a full-time or part-time student (undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate levels) or within six months of completion of their schooling;
The recipient of the award must agree to be present at the annual CAPO Conference with a 15-minute presentation of their paper;
The recipient of the award must agree to submit their paper for peer-review in Current Oncology to be published if accepted (i.e., the paper cannot have been published elsewhere). Publication fees will be waived.

The Awards Committee of the CAPO Board will select a recipient from the applicants based on scores and recommendations from the reviewers. If no suitable applicants are chosen, no award will be given.

Submit an original paper/manuscript by March 25, 2024 that is no more than 4000 words for an original article or review and 2500 words for a case report in length (12-point font and double spaced, excludes tables/references).

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT

2024 CAPO Awards of Excellence - Choose from six prestigious awards

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:06:01 GMT

Call for award nominations now open

CAPO is committed to fostering and encouraging interdisciplinary excellence in psychosocial research education and clinical practice in oncology. To recognize achievements in the advancement of psychosocial oncology, the organization offers several awards programs.

Awards of Excellence
- CAPO Award for Clinical Excellence
- CAPO Award of Education Excellence
- CAPO Award for Research Excellence
Early Career Investigator Award
CAPO Innovation Award
Lifetime Achievement Award

For further information about CAPO Awards Programs please contact Peter Traversa at manager@capo.ca.

Deadline for nomination submissions is April 12, 2024.

New Job Posting - Health Care Social Worker (Masters), Nova Scotia Health

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 19:23:34 GMT

Job Title
Health Care Social Worker (Masters)

Company
Nova Scotia Health

Department
Oncology Social Work

City
Halifax
State / Province / Region
NS

Job Description

Reporting to the Health Services Manager, Cancer Care, NZ, the Health Care Social Worker provides a diverse range of interventions to clients and their families, enabling them to achieve their optimal level of functioning and health. These interventions include: psychosocial assessments, adjustment therapy, supportive therapy, crisis counselling, resource counselling, and discharge planning and case management.

Health Care Social Workers are actively involved in advocacy, education, program planning, consultation and collaboration on behalf of individuals/groups within the institution and community.

Qualifications

Master of Social Work Degree from an accredited university
Current registration and membership in the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers and Canadian Association of Social Workers
Two (2) years clinical experience as a Registered Social Worker required
Strong counselling and communication skillse
LEAP Palliative care training preferred
Knowledge of the fundamentals of human behaviour including systems theory, family dynamics, group dynamics and theories of behaviour change. Leap palliative care training preferred.

Application Instructions
Applicants are encouraged to send their resume, cover letter and salary expectations.
Submit by Date
11/19/2023

APPLY HERE

NEW JOB POSTING - Senior Information Specialist - Canadian Cancer Society

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:51:48 GMT

DEPARTMENT:
Cancer Support

JOB OVERVIEW:

Senior Information Specialists for the Cancer Information Helpline respond to inquiries from Canadians, mostly in French, who are living with a cancer diagnosis, their loves ones and friends, and health care professionals through phone, Live Chat and email. They provide emotional support and compassionate understanding as appropriate to the circumstances of the client, answer questions about cancer, cancer treatment and related topics, and connect clients with resources within CCS or other organizations to meet information and supportive care needs they express. In addition, the Senior Information Specialists may answer questions from members of the general public about cancer prevention, screening or cancer statistics published by the CCS.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

Responds to cancer information inquiries from people with cancer, their loved ones and friends and health care professionals by telephone, Livechat, e-mail and referrals on core topics such as cancer diagnoses, treatments, side effects, coping strategies, pain and side-effect management, clinical trials, screening, practical cancer support services, and more.
Assesses, researches and selects information tailored to each client's situation and information needs from appropriate resources; communicates information during the contact and follows up with additional informational and/or resources by email, as needed
Uses expert communications skills and probes to assist callers to identify their psychosocial needs and concerns, and offers appropriate resources and referrals in response
Provides understanding and compassion, and addresses emotional upset and distress, using active listening and supportive care communications skills, thereby creating an environment of support and high quality experience
Functions as the first direct line to CCS, responding to complex, nuanced questions about cancer and communicating the CCS organizational position regarding key issues both verbally and in writing.
Communicates professionally with attention to sensitivity, clarity and without personal bias.
Participates in self-directed learning to maintain expected knowledge base, acquires new knowledge/information and keeps abreast of the latest developments in oncology and related fields in a complex, quickly changing environment
Navigates the CCS ecosystem to identify and source information to address client concerns/issues - raising issues and risks proactively for the organization (horizon scanning) and provides resources to CCS that inform current topics/issues
Uses interview techniques to sensitively collect client data, and records data for each client interaction in the helpline CRM
Engages QA feedback process to address challenges in data capture and recording, and uses new techniques as provided
Works in collaboration with the Cancer Information department to identify information gaps required by the helpline, and shares resources from external resources when identified as potential inputs for Cancer Information
Ongoing training and knowledge transfer activities to advance core knowledge and skills, such as newly-published COVID-19 public health and vaccine protocols, AYA and onco-fertility, and the experiences of people living with advanced cancer.
Contacts clients on outbound basis when referred to the helplines by CCS referral pathway partners
Contributes to special projects as requested to support CCS mission; supporting COVID-19 initiatives, supporting navigation to key cancer system supports as outlined by the Canadian Cancer Control Strategy, updating CSL listings, enhanced client support for virtual access to wigs and prostheses, supporting other CCS grants/programs (e.g. BETTER Women program)

QUALIFICATIONS

At least a bachelor's degree in health sciences, e.g. nursing, biology, nutrition, occupational therapy or a related field
At least 1 year of some practical or job-related experience;
Experience in a front-line, public-facing professional environment or role
An excellent command of French and English in oral and written forms.
Ability to multi-task
Experience in the use of common computer software (Office suite or others)
minimum of one year of related practical or clinical experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
Examples of behavioural competency: Strong client service, supportive care, communication, active listening and interpersonal skills which contribute to a compassionate and caring experience
Strong information management and analytic skills, and excellent attention to detail, which contribute to high quality mission outcomes
Data management and database acumen; ability to sensitively collect personal information from clients, and accurate entry of client data in the CRM, which contributes to the CCS mission data strategy analytics, KPI reporting, and operational analyses
Expert verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate complex cancer information in a clear and understandable manner, write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles;
Ability to identify and escalate organizational risks as identified through workload.

CITY:
This position can be based anywhere in Canada

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are encouraged to send their resume, cover letter and salary expectations.

APPLY BY:

09/08/2023

APPLY HERE

CAPO Webinar Series - CAPO Staffing Formula Guideline for Psychosocial Oncology

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:59:07 GMT

The purpose of this presentation is to provide participants with an overview of the work undertaken by the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology to encourage and establish minimum benchmarks in hiring practices for PSO programming in Canada. This presentation will highlight the framework and an on-line calculator available to determine staffing ratios.
Members of the Clinical Advisory Committee for CAPO reviewed the literature and met over two years with leaders in the field to gain consensus on various factors to be considered for hiring PSO professionals. Ten factors shape the framework using the example of MSWs working in tertiary cancer centres. What makes the framework unique is the inter-connection between the scope of practice, work setting, recognition of distress in PSO care and pragmatic factors such as allocation of time and cancer cases that informs the number of PSO professionals to be hired. The presenters will also review how to access the online calculator to input data to arrive at a recommended staffing ratio. The framework is fluid, continues to evolve and can be adapted for other disciplines

FEATURING:

Dr. Carole R. Mayer PhD. RSW

CO- PRESENTERS:

Marianne Arab
Kimberley Thibodeau, MSW, CFT

DATE: Thursday, October 26, 2023, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EDT

Webinar registration now open :

FREE to CAPO Members.
FREE to non-members

Webinar access details will be provided in your registration confirmation email. Pending quality of recording, this webcast will be available within 30 days of the live webinar.

If you are not a current member of CAPO, find out more about membership by going to https://capo.ca/apply

2023 Bultz best student oral award winners - Justine Albert and Lily Rogers

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:29:35 GMT

The Bultz best student oral award recognizes a student member of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology for an oral research presentation demonstrating excellence in psychosocial oncology research in Canada.

Congratulations to award winners Justine Albert and Lily Rogers.

Congratulations to award winner Justine- Albert -Experiences of informal caregivers regarding MAiD in Canada: A Narrative Review

Congratulations to award winner Lily Rogers -Transforming Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care through Creativity and Theatre

2023 Bultz best student poster award winner - Katherine-Anne Piedalue - High-Fidelity Testing in a Smartphone App to Treat Insomnia in Cancer Survivors (iCANSleep App)

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:28:02 GMT

The Bultz Student Award Series was established to honour the vision and memory of Ben and Molly Bultz, and is a tribute to their compassion, love of education and generousity of spirit.
The Bultz best student poster award recognizes a student member of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, for a poster presentation of a research project demonstrating excellence in psychosocial oncology research in Canada.

Congratulations to award winner Katherine-Anne Piedalue - High-Fidelity Testing in a Smartphone App to Treat Insomnia in Cancer Survivors (iCANSleep App)

The 2023 Canadian Virtual Hospice Award winner - Sarah Alonzi

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:25:45 GMT

The Canadian Virtual Hospice has established an award to acknowledge the exemplary work of psychosocial oncology professionals and students.
The purpose of this award is to promote progress in research, education and clinical practice in the area of palliative care and grief and the dissemination of information related to the psychosocial care. It is given to support oncology professionals in continuing education activities.

Congratulations to award winner Sarah Alonzi - Mortality-Focused Language of Palliative Care Descriptions and Clinician Willingness to Recommend the Service

The 2023 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Award winner - Marco Bonanno

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:23:49 GMT

The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada has established an award of excellence to acknowledge the exemplary work of psychosocial oncology professionals, in collaboration with CAPO.

The purpose of this award is to promote the dissemination of information related to the psychosocial care of children/adults/families with brain tumours and is given to support oncology professionals in continuing education activities.

Congratulations to award winner Marco Bonanno - Translating research data into practice to improve the trajectories of AYA pediatric brain tumour survivors (PBTS) following treatment: Preliminary results of two focused workshops, with different stakeholders, in Québec.

CAPO Announces the winner of the 2023 Current Oncology Student Travel Award

Peter Traversa — Fri, 12 May 2023 17:04:48 GMT

We are pleased to announce the Sydney Wasserman has won for her paper titled: An Evaluation of Interactive Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications for Adults Living with Cancer.

Sydney Wasserman is a registered nurse clinician, working clinically as an Emergency Trauma nurse at the Montreal General Hospital. Having recently graduated from the master’s in advanced nursing, she will now be pursuing her PhD in Nursing at McGill University. Sydney balances her passion for clinical work with teaching and research. She has been a Teaching Assistant, Clinical Instructor and Preceptor Support throughout her graduate degree. She also values her mentorship role as a First Aid training instructor and training coordinator for St. John Ambulance, and the President of the Nursing Graduate Students Association (NGSA). She has been very involved as a research assistant at St. Mary’s research centre and McGill University, where her research primarily focuses on self-management interventions curated for both patients and their caregivers. She also has a special interest in mobile health applications and implementation sciences for psychosocial oncology. With Dr. Lambert as her supervisor, she will be starting her PhD in the Fall studying the acceptability of Coping-Together Advanced for patients and caregivers facing advanced cancer with a pilot SMART. She is active in disseminating findings from her research by presenting at the Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO), International Psycho Oncology Society (IPOS) and Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC) conferences.

Sydney will present her paper at the CAPO Conference in Montreal in June.

Mentorship Consultation Program: Calling all CAPO Members!

Peter Traversa — Fri, 12 May 2023 16:53:49 GMT

The CAPO Student/Trainee Committee is currently seeking both professional and student/trainee members who would be interested in participating in the CAPO Mentorship Consultation Program.

The overall purpose of this program is to create meaningful connections between students/trainees and CAPO professionals. Mentoring is a shared learning experience that not only benefits the mentee but the mentor as well. For the mentor, the experience expands leadership and coaching skills and is a way to help build future leaders in the field of psychosocial oncology. For the mentee, the partnership is a learning experience that provides the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and valuable career insights.

CAPO’s Mentorship Consultation Program was designed to include a first meeting between mentors and mentees during the annual conference and potential future collaboration that both members are free to arrange with each other post-conference.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please let us know before June 5^th, 2023, by responding to this survey below.

Sign-Up as a MENTOR

Sign-Up as a MENTEE

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of this invitation.

For more information, please contact Justine Albert, CAPO Student Liaison: Justine.albert@mail.mcgill.ca

Welcome CAPO's new Student Liaison the the Board: Justine Albert

Peter Traversa — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 15:41:15 GMT

Justine Albert is currently an M.Sc. candidate in Experimental Medicine at McGill University under the supervision of Dr. Carmen Loiselle and is the recipient of the Kuok Fellowship provided by the Rossy Cancer Network. Justine’s graduate research focuses on the experiences of English-speaking informal caregivers in Quebec of patients who have undergone medical assistance in dying or palliative sedation until death. Prior to her M.Sc. Justine completed a Bachelor of Arts with an Honours in Psychology from Western University as well as a Graduate Diploma in Oncology from McGill University with a specialization in Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care.

Justine has also worked as a research assistant for Dr. Melissa Henry on various psychosocial oncology projects including research on body image concerns in patients with head and neck cancer, the representation of psycho-oncology in national cancer care plans, and studies relating to suffering at the end-of-life. Justine is originally from White Rock, British Columbia and is now located in Montréal, Quebec.

The Survivor Identity Index: How Does Cancer Survivor Identity Relate to Emotional Well-Being?

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 21:00:35 GMT

You are invited to take part in a research study, “The Survivor Identity Index: How Does Cancer Survivor Identity Relate to Emotional Well-being”. People who have been diagnosed and treated for cancer vary in their comfort with the concept of "cancer survivorship". We want to learn more about how a person’s comfort with the idea of survivorship relates to their type of cancer, treatment history, and their relationships with the primary members of their healthcare team. You are invited to take part in this research study if you are over 18 years old, have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and can read and understand English.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey. The survey contains questions about the following:

The extent to which you are comfortable identifying as a cancer survivor
Measures of emotional comfort
Your demographic information
Your breast cancer history
Your relationship with your healthcare providers

The questionnaire is expected to take between 15-20 minutes to complete.

By participating in the study, you will have the option to enter a draw for one of three $50 gift cards for Amazon or Tim Hortons.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please use this link to access the consent form and questionnaire:

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ZTMbmyAUPlIHE9

Patient Support Specialist, Colorectal Cancer Canada

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:29:35 GMT

Job Description:

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for the development, oversight and management of the CCC Patient Support program. Supporting and working with the CCC team, this position ensures the continued quality of existing programs, adapts existing programs and develops new programming in response to CCC’s needs.

Key Responsibilities:
• Liaises with existing Patient Support community groups and identifies opportunity areas for new groups and/or areas of support
• Provides direct support to patients and caregivers and families
• Handles telephone and e-mail requests for support
• Facilitates peer to peer support when required
• Undertakes statistical reporting on all requests
• Creates and maintains patient portal to monitor progress against KPIs.
• Facilitates patient support groups; providing psychoeducational and therapeutic support and provides brief and ongoing individual, family and caregiver counselling. Makes appropriate recommendations in collaboration with cancer patient(s)
• Prepares documents and other resources for patients, clinics, hospitals and other groups
• Manages patient cases follows up by telephone; makes appropriate referrals; researches and coordinates internal and external services; works with multidisciplinary professionals
• Handles requests from individuals and various organization for educational and information materials
• Develops patient education materials
• Maintains material inventory
• Maintains database of resources/contacts (i.e. GI clinics, cancer clinics, physicians, hospitals, etc.)
• Manages and develops patient volunteers
• Participates in CCC hosted events and conferences

Required Qualifications
• Must have knowledge/awareness of cancer treatments; knowledge of colorectal cancer is an asset
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, English and French
• Ability to make presentations to professionals, patient and community groups
• Social worker, Psychology/Psychosocial Oncology, Nurse or related discipline

Experience
• Two years’ experience in patient support.

Additional Requirements
• Must keep up to date on all new colorectal cancer treatments and research

Please send your CV to Carole Brohman, Executive Director: caroleb@colorectalcancercanada.com

Funding Opportunities - Oncology Nursing Foundation Research Grants Open

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 19:32:48 GMT

Purpose of Grant: To support rigorous scientific oncology nursing research. Research projects may include investigator-initiated research, pilot or feasibility studies, supplements to current funded projects, or developing a new aspect of a program of research. Funding preference is given to projects that involve nurses in the design and conduct of the research activity and that promote theoretically based oncology practice. Competitive applications will address a topic(s) in the ONS Research Agenda. See "Research Agenda of the Oncology Nursing Society: 2019-2022," published in the Oncology Nursing Forum, November 2019, Volume 46, No. 6.

The following three (3) key areas in need of oncology nursing research articulated in the ONS Research Agenda are:
â€¢ Symptom Science
â—¦ In Immunotherapy and Emerging Therapies in Precision Health
â—¦ In Precision Health and Biosignature
â€¢ Health Disparities
â€¢ Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Care

Additional resources and updates related to the ONS Research Agenda are located here: â€œUpdate to the 2019-2022 ONS Research Agenda: Rapid Review to Address Structural Racism and Health Inequities,â€ published in the Oncology Nursing Forum, November 2021, Volume 48, No. 6; and, â€œ The Oncology Nursing Society Rapid Review and Research Priorities for Cancer Care in the Context of Covid-19,â€ published in the Oncology Nursing Forum, March 2021, Volume 48, No. 2.

Funding Amounts:
$50,000 and $100,000

Duration of project and funding:
2 years

Letter of Intent Due Date:
May 8th, 2022

Visit Oncology Nursing Foundation Research Grants page for more eligibility information and to apply

Program Director, Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka.

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:22:35 GMT

Job Description

Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka (GCSM) is a non-residential cancer support community. Our mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Program Director (PD) is responsible for the administration, oversight and leadership of all community member-related clinical programs of GCSM; the supervision of all clinical facilitators, adjunct instructors; and the provision of direct clinical services for people of all ages affected by cancer.

The PD also provides program statistical consultation as it related to general operations, outreach and marketing, grant writing and reporting and, on an as needed basis, participates in fundraising activities.

The PD builds and maintains relationships with members, program professionals, speakers, and key programmatic constituents in the healthcare, medical and academic arenas; develops and manages the program budget, maintains program statistics and reports.

Required Qualifications:
• 3 years of experience in a similar role ideally in a non-profit organization, including clinical work plus program implementation and administration
• Successful completion of a post-secondary diploma/degree in sociology, social work or psychology
• A masters-prepared mental health professional licensed to practice in Ontario
• Successful completion of a masters graduate degree in one of the following areas: Social Work, Counselling, Marriage and Family Therapy
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results
• Experience in program development and implementation in support of diverse populations
• Experience in individual counselling and group facilitation
• Proficiency with Microsoft office applications, presentation skills and data management
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends.
• A clean criminal background and vulnerable sector check
• Fully vaccinated status to enable working with members who are immune-compromised individuals undergoing cancer treatment

Please visit the following link for the full job description
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2891626497/?eBP=JOB_SEARCH_ORGANIC&recommendedFlavor=JOB_SEEKER_QUALIFIED&refId=0PdIkiWmh0P7fmFSHVVtDw%3D%3D&trackingId=YyUhffqz7hYxdVk8%2FJeTUQ%3D%3D&trk=flagship3_search_srp_jobs

Qualifications
• 3 years of experience in a similar role ideally in a non-profit organization, including clinical work plus program implementation and administration
• Successful completion of a post-secondary diploma/degree in sociology, social work or psychology
• A masters-prepared mental health professional licensed to practice in Ontario
• Successful completion of a masters graduate degree in one of the following areas: Social Work, Counselling, Marriage and Family Therapy
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results
• Experience in program development and implementation in support of diverse populations
• Experience in individual counselling and group facilitation
• Proficiency with Microsoft office applications, presentation skills and data management
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends.
• A clean criminal background and vulnerable sector check
• Fully vaccinated status to enable working with members who are immune-compromised individuals undergoing cancer treatment

APPLY HERE

Psychologist - Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network.

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 20:29:04 GMT

Toronto ON.

Job Description

University Health Network (UHN) is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto and a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network. The scope of research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.

The role will be 70% research/ 30% clinical, involving:

Research activities, including on medical assistance in dying (MAID) and cancer experience at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), which will include attention to health equity in these areas. The applicant is expected to establish an internationally recognized research program with grant support and to work collaboratively with other investigators at PM.

Clinical activities, including provision of health psychology assessment, evidence-based psychotherapy and biopsychosocial intervention to oncology patients. The applicant will engage in collaboration and consultation with other disciplines, including Oncology, Social Work, Psychiatry, Psychology, Palliative Care and Spiritual Care. The applicant will maintain patient care documentation in compliance with institutional and regulatory College requirements. Registration in practice area of couples within health psychology an asset..
Qualifications:

• At minimum, completion of a PhD degree in Clinical Psychology, or recognized equivalent
• Minimum of one (1) year of practical and related experience
• Registered with, or eligible for registration with, the College of Psychologists of Ontario with designated practice area that corresponds to the specific clinic requirements
• Expertise in research methodology, including psychometrics, in health equity and in the psychological and social dimensions of cancer
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Works effectively independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Comfortable using various forms of technology
• Results-oriented and demonstrated time management skills
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities

Please apply by February 3rd, 2022.

APPLY HERE

Call for a Patient and Family Representative for the Board of Directors

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 18:06:08 GMT

CAPO is inviting a member of the public to join the CAPO board as a patient and/or family representative to raise awareness of the challenges and priorities of patients and families affected by cancer. The patient and/or family representative will provide strategic advice and guidance to enhance how CAPO communicates its work to the membership and external stakeholders as it relates to person-centred and quality psychosocial care. The Member will also provide strategic advice and guidance to the CAPO Board in its efforts to increase revenues through fundraising efforts and other funding opportunities.

Role/Responsibility for the Patient and/or Family Representative on the CAPO Board:

Share vision and ideas for person-centred care based on patient and family member experience; provide clarification and context as needed on patient and family-related issues
Provide strategic advice and guidance to fundraise and/or secure other funds through granting agencies to advance the mission to ensure equity in access to psychosocial care across Canada.
Regularly attend and be an active participant in monthly board teleconference/Zoom (in a non-voting capacity)
Participate on other CAPO working committees and offer advice on other CAPO initiatives and strategic priorities as needed
Represent the CAPO board as a Patient and/or Family Representative at speaker engagements and committee work internal and external to CAPO

Eligibility/Term/Application process:

Cancer Patient and/or family member who can provide strategic advice and guidance on communication strategies and/or fundraising. A family member may include a person who is not directly related to a survivor yet can identify themselves as a member of a patient’s care team.
Two-year term

How to submit interest:

Please email the following information by October 15th to: manager@capo.ca
- First and Last name
- Email address
- Description of Patient Experience
- City and Province/Territory located in
- Twitter handle

Current Oncology has received an updated Impact Factor

Peter Traversa — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 15:14:01 GMT

We are pleased to announce our affiliated journal, Current Oncology, has received an updated Impact Factor in the 2020 edition of the Journal Citation Reports® released in June 2021. An increase to 3.677 from 2.257.

Two free publications in Special Issue on Supportive Care Needs in Current Oncology!

Peter Traversa — Sat, 15 May 2021 14:31:59 GMT

We are offering two free publications for our Special Issue on the Supportive Care Needs of Cancer Patients and Family Caregivers in Current Oncology.

Submit your abstract to jackie.bender@uhnresearch.ca by May 31, 2021 to be considered for one of two free publications. Submitted abstracts will be evaluated based on innovation, scientific merit, need and whether they have an alternative source of funding.

The deadline for full manuscript submission is July 31, 2021. The publication fee is 1600 CHF.

For more information about the special issue, please see: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/curroncol/special_issues/supportivecare_cancerpatients

Sincerely,

Dr. Jackie Bender and Dr. Sylvie Lambert
Guest Editors of the Special Issue in Current Oncology

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov: nominated for induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Peter Traversa — Fri, 07 May 2021 13:34:47 GMT

Harvey Max Chochinov, OC OM MD PhD FRCPC FRSC FCAHS | Winnipeg, MB

Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of Oncology and Haematology, CancerCare Manitoba, is one of the world’s most innovative and influential proponents of improved and expanded palliative care across multiple dimensions of life-limiting or life-ending condition. Dr. Chochinov’s pioneering work has significantly advanced effective recognition and treatment of end-of-life distress, depression, desire for death and vulnerability. His empirical research provides guidelines for dignity conserving palliative care and psychosocial intervention and is helping to assure that our medical management of dying and death does not disregard alleviable pain nor violate the dignity of patients and their families.

Dr. Chochinov is Co-Founder and former chair (2001-2015) of the Canadian Virtual Hospice (CVH), the world’s most comprehensive online platform providing information and support to patients, families and health providers on issues related to palliative care and bereavement. His award-winning book Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days is a profound and beautiful meditation on human mortality and a blueprint for the palliative intervention developed by Dr. Chochinov and his research colleagues.

VIEW THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE

ENGLISH

FRENCH

Expression of Interest – Clinical Fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre (2022-2023)

Peter Traversa — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 21:13:19 GMT

The Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Rehabilitation (Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary Alberta) and the Division of Psychosocial Oncology (Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary) are recruiting a clinical academic Fellow for the 2022-23 academic year. This opportunity is for interdisciplinary professionals (completing training or fully licensed) who are seeking one year of specialized training in Psychosocial Oncology. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter of interest by May 15, 2021. Following an expression of interest, a single chosen candidate will build a tailored application collaboratively with our program, and apply by Aug 31, 2021. Competition results will be announced around November 2021.

Members can learn more about this opportunity HERE

2021 AGM Notice. Members, mark your calendars!

Peter Traversa — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:08:35 GMT

The Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology we will held at 12 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Typically the association holds the annual meeting in conjunction with CAPO conference which is normally held in the spring. This year the conference will be held in June and will again be virtual.

This later date poses a challenge for scheduling the CAPO Annual General Meeting. Our bylaws state that our AGM is to be held within 150 days of the end of our fiscal year (December 31). To ensure compliance with our bylaws the 2021 annual meeting will be held virtually. The bylaws provide for holding meetings electronically. The platform to be used will allow for attendance by Webinar.

MEMBERS RSVP HERE

Deadline for manuscript submissions: July 31, 2021 - Special Issue Title: Supportive Care Needs of Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 20:51:18 GMT

Dear colleagues,

As the Guest Editors of the Special Issue in Current Oncology described below, we encourage you to consider contributing a paper.

Special Issue Title: Supportive Care Needs of Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Website: https://lnkd.in/gdncaCj

Deadline for manuscript submissions: July 31, 2021

Papers will be published on an ongoing basis, immediately upon acceptance after peer review (generally within one week). A publication fee of 1200 CHF will be applied for each accepted paper submitted in 2021 (papers submitted after 30 June 2021 the APC will be 1600 CHF). No extra fees will be applied for color figures.

As an incentive, we have two free publications to offer. To apply to have your paper published free of charge, please send us an abstract and tentative title by May 31, 2021. Submitted abstracts will be evaluated based on innovation, scientific merit, need and whether they have an alternative source of funding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jackie Bender and Dr. Sylvie Lambert

CAPO members can access the discount code and more information by going to Member Resources.

Current Oncology Journal

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 14:14:27 GMT

Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal published online by MDPI (from Volume 28 Issue 1-2021). Established in 1994, the journal represents a multidisciplinary medium for clinical oncologists to report and review progress in the management of this disease. Dr. Shahid Ahmed from the University of Saskatchewan has served as Editor-in-Chief of Current Oncology since June 2023. The journal is supported by an international editorial board consisting of a distinguished team of cancer researchers from major institutes from Canada and around the world (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/curroncol/editors). Articles published in the journal typically contain information that is relevant directly to clinical oncology practice, and have clear potential for application to the current or future practice of cancer medicine. Current Oncology is indexed by important databases, including SCIE, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus. Current Oncology received an increased Impact Factor for 2023 of 2.8, following an increased CiteScore of 3.3. Current Oncology now ranks in Q2 in the “Oncology” category (157/322) which represents our ranking relative to other journals in the same field. More information about the journal can be accessed at: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/curroncol.

CAPO members enjoy author fee discounts with Current Oncology. Email Karen for more info at karen.irwin@mdpi.com.

NOTE: When you apply for research funding, please inquire whether your granting agency allows the costs of open access publishing, such as Article Processing Charges, to be included in the grant budget. More and more, granting agencies are encouraging or even requiring that all papers resulting from funded research must be published in Open Access journals.

Keeping the psychosocial health of our patients, colleagues and family members at the forefront amid covid-19

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:48:22 GMT

CAPO Statement on COVID19

Dear Members of the CAPO Community,

These are incredibly difficult times full of uncertainty and fear. For our patients, colleagues and loved ones living with cancer, things are especially challenging.

As always, the psychosocial well-being of our patients, colleagues and family members is our utmost priority.

We also understand that there is an overwhelming amount of information circulating regarding COVID-19.

We have gathered the following resources to help you navigate this unprecedented time.

As of right now, CAPO's 35th Annual Conference scheduled for July 15 to 17 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, is planned to proceed as scheduled. We are however monitoring the situation very closely and will advise if this changes.

WEBINAR – MARCH 20, 2020. Dr. Doris Howell: Proactive remote monitoring and real-time symptom management using mobile technology: a feasibility study. Please join us.

As a community – we are here for you.

World Lymphedema Day

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 20:14:56 GMT

March 6 is World Lymphedema Day! Lymphedema is chronic inflammatory condition that can develop after cancer treatment. Download the poster

We are pleased to announce the recipients of our Patient Scholarships for the World Congress in Banff

Peter Traversa — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 17:51:10 GMT

For the first time ever, the Congress will be "Patients Included". We are pleased to welcome the following advocates:

Victoria Forster @vickyyyf, @cancersurvSM

Margaret Ng: Over 10 years experience working in workplace wellness and health promotion my mission is to support health, healing, and well-being so others can thrive in life.

Karen Ladner Haas @caringcancermom

Lorna Larsen @TeamShan: I am honoured to receive a 2019 IPOS/CAPO World Congress of Psycho-Oncology patient and family advocate scholarship. I look forward to participating in the Congress, sharing my daughter Shanna's Story and my efforts to make a positive difference in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer journey. Shanna (Shan) lost her life to breast cancer at the age of twenty-four. As part of my grief process, I have advocated strongly to help improve AYA cancer outcomes across the continuum from awareness to palliative care. All in Shan's memory!

Jill Hamer-Wilson @JillHW

We are pleased to advise you of the following funding opportunities and updates from the Canadian Cancer Society

Peter Traversa — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 19:22:36 GMT

Innovation Grants/Subventions pour l'innovation:

Innovation Grants support the highest quality creative problem solving in cancer research. The goal of the Innovation program is to support the development and testing of transformative, paradigm-shifting concepts and approaches to address problems in cancer research, enhance our understanding of cancer, and generate novel approaches to confront the challenges we face in defeating cancer.

Budgets awarded may be up to $100,000 per year and a maximum of $200,000 per grant.

It is anticipated that approximately 30 grants will be awarded in this competition.

Please note the following:

Innovation Grants are offered once per year. The timeline below is anticipated to be consistent going forward.
This competition consists of a full application only, abstract registration is not required
There must be no (0%) overlap with any pending or held grant applications (i.e. 100% unique aims are required - conceptual overlap is acceptable but must be described by the applicant)

Special funding calls within the Innovation Grant competition envelope:

Applications relevant to breast cancer research are encouraged
Applications relevant to skin cancer are encouraged
As a result of a generous donation, funding for one application with a focus on early detection, diagnosis, and/or treatment of malignant mixed Müllerian tumours (MMMT) is available
Additional funds may be available from the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation to support innovative projects focused on the application of complementary and alternative approaches in cancer treatment and control

Full application deadline: October 15, 2019

Results announcement: April, 2020

Anticipated start date: May 1, 2020

Please review the full Program Description on our website.

Veuillez consulter la description complète du programme sur notre site Web.

Innovation to Impact Grants/Subventions d’une innovation à un impact:

*Note update to eligibility criteria regarding pursuit of ‘logical next steps’ from an Innovation or CBCF grant.

These grants are intended to support the next phase following a productive CCS Innovation Grant or CBCF research grant, with the goal of working towards or achieving a significant impact on cancer.

Applicants are required to articulate significant achievements from the original Innovation/CBCF Grant (i.e., significant new knowledge, publications, intellectual property, technology development, or relevant endpoints) and clearly describe and justify the progression to the new research proposed. In other words, the original grant and the i2I proposal must be linked by their overarching goal or objective. Applicants must also describe the potential for impact of the proposed project on cancer.

Budgets awarded may be up to $150,000 per year for up to 3 years, to a maximum of $450,000 per grant.

It is anticipated that approximately 15 grants will be awarded in this competition.

Please note that only investigators with a funded Innovation or CBCF research grant with a project end date between January 1, 2017 and April 30, 2020 are eligible for this program.

Full application deadline: October 15, 2019

Results announcement: April 2020

Anticipated start date: May 1, 2020

Please review the full Program Description on our website.

Veuillez consulter la description complète du programme sur notre site Web.

Travel Awards/Bourses de déplacement :

These awards are intended to defray the travel costs associated with making a scientific presentation as a first author or presenter at a conference, symposium or other appropriate professional meeting. PhD, MD, or MD/PhD students, and post-doctoral/medical/clinical fellows are eligible to apply.

There are three competitions in 2019. It is anticipated that approximately 10 Travel Awards will be awarded in each competition (approximately 30 awards per year).

Please note the following:

Applications will only be accepted for conference dates within 6 months following the funding start date.
Eligible expenses include: 1) Conference registration fees; 2) Accommodations; and 3) Transportation, and will not exceed $2,000.
Individuals may receive this award only once per stage of training (PhD, MD, Postdoctoral fellow). Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent competitions.

Full application deadline: September 15, 2019

Results announcement: November, 2019

Funding start date: December 1, 2019

Please visit the Canadian Cancer Society research website for program and application information www.cancer.ca/research.

Les renseignements relatifs au programme et à la demande se trouvent sur le site Web de recherche de la Société canadienne du cancer (SCC), au www.cancer.ca/research.

CAPO/IPOS 2019 Patient Advocate Scholarship

Peter Traversa — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 14:11:54 GMT

The shared mission of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) and the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) is to foster the science and practice of psychosocial oncology to improve the care for people affected by cancer through partnerships, research, public policy, advocacy and education. Our 2019 World Congress will create an opportunity to bring together an international body of health care professionals. This forum encourages new global partnerships and allows for the dissemination of ground-breaking research to professionals and the general public about psycho-oncology, that is, the psychosocial (psychiatric, psychological, social, behavioural, ethical) and psychobiological aspects of oncology. Finally, this forum allows us to recognize exceptional contributions from around the world to the field of psycho-oncology through our awards of excellence.

The following financial support is being made available to patient advocates interested in attending the 2019 Congress:

Five (5) $1,000 CAD travel/accommodation scholarships to be paid directly to recipients at the Congress by cheque accompanied by complimentary congress registration valued at $750 CAD each (does not include the pre-congress workshops or dinner adventure).

In order to qualify, applicants must:

Be residing in Canada.
Identify themselves as a patient/family advocate (have an active role in communicating their cancer experience).
Be active on social media.
Complete an online application by July 31, 2019.
If selected, must submit a 250 to 500-word summary of key learnings from the congress that will be published on our website https://capo.ca/home-new, and also in the CAPO e-newsletter, CAPO Connection. Submission must be made by December 31, 2019.

Online application review and selection:

Applications are accepted online only. Confirmation of submission will NOT be issued. To submit, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9MMWLYT.
A panel of three current CAPO members (void of any conflict of interest), one in which must be a current CAPO board member, will review applications and select the five recipients.
Final decision on the five recipients selected will be issued via email by no later than August 16, 2019.

Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:58:30 GMT

We are pleased to provide you with early access to the modernized Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control – a 10-year roadmap to improve equity in the cancer system and to deliver world-class cancer care to all Canadians, while focusing on a sustainable healthcare system for the future.

This Strategy focuses on driving measurable change on the most pressing challenges for the next decade with five priorities:

Decrease the risk of people getting cancer

Diagnose cancer faster, accurately and at an earlier stage

Deliver high-quality care in a sustainable, world-class system

Eliminate barriers to people getting the care they need

Deliver information and supports for people living with cancer, families and caregivers

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis advisors, communities , governments, and organizations were engaged in all parts of Canada using a parallel process to ensure separate, respectful and Peoples-specific priorities and challenges were understood and reflected in the refreshed Strategy.

In addition to the five priorities above, the Strategy includes three priorities identified by First Nations, Inuit and Métis, each with Peoples-specific actions.

You can access the Strategy and other materials using the links below.

Materials

Download the modernized Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control

Download Refreshing the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control: Patient, Public and Stakeholder Engagement Summary Report

Communications Toolkit

We invite you to use this Communications Toolkit to share the messages and images on June 4, 2019 and beyond to help raise awareness of the refreshed Strategy. The toolkit is available in English and French, and includes:

Social media posts

Email copy

Website content (Summary option and Detailed option)

Newsletter content

To show your support:

Use the Communications Toolkit to spread the message on and after June 4, 2019

Like, comment and share the Partnership’s social media posts across Twitter and Facebook

Join the social conversation using hashtag #CDNCancerStrategy in English and#StratégieCASurLeCancer in French.

Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer – we appreciate your support.

Cindy Morton

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Nous sommes heureux de vous offrir un accès anticipé à la version modernisée de laStratégie canadienne de lutte contre le cancer – une feuille de route sur 10 ans visant à améliorer l’équité au sein du système de lutte contre le cancer et à offrir des soins de calibre mondial à l’ensemble des Canadiens, tout en se concentrant sur la mise en place d’un système de santé durable pour l’avenir.

La Stratégie vise à favoriser des changements mesurables pour les défis les plus urgents au cours des dix prochaines années, avec cinq priorités :

Réduire le risque de cancer dans la population

Diagnostiquer le cancer plus rapidement, avec exactitude et à un stade plus précoce

Offrir des soins de grande qualité dans le cadre d’un système durable et de calibre mondial

Éliminer les obstacles qui empêchent les gens d’obtenir les soins dont ils ont besoin

Offrir de l’information et du soutien aux personnes atteintes de cancer, aux familles et aux aidants

Des conseillers, des communautés, des gouvernements et des organisations des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis ont été mobilisés partout au Canada dans le cadre d’un processus parallèle pour faire en sorte que soient compris et intégrés dans la Stratégie actualisée les priorités et les défis propres aux peuples autochtones, de manière respectueuse et distincte.

En plus des cinq priorités ci-dessus, la Stratégie comprend trois priorités déterminées par les Premières Nations, les Inuits et les Métis, et chacune d’entre elles s’accompagne de mesures propres aux peuples autochtones.

Documents

Téléchargez la version modernisée de la Stratégie canadienne de lutte contre le cancer

Téléchargez la publication intitulée Actualisation de la Stratégie canadienne de lutte contre le cancer : rapport sommaire sur la mobilisation des patients, du public et des intervenants

Trousse d’outils pour les communications

Nous vous invitons à utiliser cette Trousse d’outils pour les communications afin de partager les messages et les images qu’elle contient à partir du 4 juin 2019 pour aider à faire connaître la Stratégie actualisée. La trousse d’outils existe en français et en anglais, et comprend ce qui suit :

Publications pour les médias sociaux

Contenu pour les courriels

Contenu pour les sites Web (option courte et option détaillée)

Contenu pour les infolettres

Pour montrer votre soutien :

Utilisez la Trousse d’outils pour les communications afin de diffuser le message dès le 4 juin 2019.

Aimez les publications du Partenariat sur les médias sociaux, laissez-y des commentaires ou partagez-les sur Twitter et Facebook.

Joignez-vous à la conversation sur les médias sociaux au moyen du mot-dièse#StratégieCASurLeCancer en français et #CDNCancerStrategy en anglais.

Merci de votre intérêt envers le Partenariat canadien contre le cancer – nous apprécions votre soutien.

Cindy Morton

Présidente-directrice générale

Partenariat canadien contre le cancer

The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology and the International Psycho-Oncology Society welcome the support of Bell Let’s Talk for the 21st annual World Congress of Psycho-Oncology

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:40:36 GMT

The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) and the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) are pleased to receive the support of Bell Let’s Talk for this year’s 21^st annual World Congress of Psycho-Oncology. The Congress will take place this year in Banff, Alberta from September 23-26. The theme for the Congress is A Global Call for Action: Implementing Psychosocial Oncology Research for Optimal Cancer Care.

As Visionary Sponsor, Bell Let’s Talk is supporting more than 800 international health care leaders, scientists and researchers from over 60 countries who will be gathering to share and learn how to help cancer patients and their families cope with the devastating emotional and mental health impact of the disease.

“We are very excited to have Bell Let’s Talk join us this year in support of our World Congress,” said Dr. Fiona Schulte, President and Co-Chair of the IPOS World Congress and President, Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO). “The impact of their support will resound globally with the community of leading oncologists who will be engaging with patients, care-givers and family members through their cancer journeys.”

Cancer is the second leading cause of death internationally. In 2018 alone, there were more than 18 million new cases, with just over a 50 per cent survival rate. Cancer impacts everyone – from patients, to friends, to loved ones.

The World Congress will bring together an international community of health care leaders, scientists and researchers who will take their knowledge back to improve patient and family care. This forum encourages new global partnerships and allows for the dissemination of ground-breaking research to professionals and the general public about psycho-oncology that will transform the cancer experience and improve the quality of life for millions of people globally.

Since 2010, the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative has been leading a conversation about the impact of mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it, while also funding programs focused on 4 mental health action pillars: anti-stigma, care and access, new research and workplace leadership. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

For more information on the World Congress, please visit: https://ipos2019.com/

CAPO’s Position Statement on Role of Psychosocial Oncology in Medical Assistance in Dying

Brandon Davenport — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:46:21 GMT

Under the direction of the CAPO Clinical Advisory Committee a working group of CAPO members has developing a position paper on MAID. This position statement is intended to clarify the role of psychosocial oncology services and psychosocial oncology clinicians in responding to patient inquiries about MAID. This paper can be accessed at:

CAPO MAID Position Statement PDF

We thank Drs Doris Howell, Keith Wilson, Madeline Li, Harvey Chochinov, Eric Wasylenko, Jennifer Bell, Jacynthe Rivest and Chad Hammond for their work on this position statement.

A CAPO webinar is being planned on this topic for 12pm EST, November 22, 2017. Details will be circulated at a later date.

CAPO is looking for in-kind support to translate this position statement into French. If members are aware of local resources available for in-kind translation services, please contact capo@funnel.ca

CAPO 2017 Award Winners

Brandon Davenport — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:37:56 GMT

Awards for Excellence in Psychosocial Oncology Lifetime Achievement Award

This annual award honours a CAPO/ACOP member who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors of the association, has made exceptional and enduring career contributions to Psychosocial Oncology.

2017 Recipient: Dr. Joan Bottorff

Dr. Joan L. Bottorff is a Professor in the School of Nursing and Director of the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is a UBC Distinguished University Scholar, an Affiliate Scientist at the BC Cancer Agency, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Her research program focuses on health promotion and health behaviour change particularly in the context of cancer prevention. Current projects center on developing more inclusive understandings of health behaviours and the development of gender-sensitive and gender-specific interventions to strengthen tobacco reduction among women and men, and to enhance cancer prevention initiatives targeting other health behaviours. This program of research, supported by the collaborative work of multidisciplinary teams and the involvement of knowledge users, has resulted in the development of innovative approaches to cancer prevention and new opportunities to reduce the burden of cancer.

Awards for Clinical Excellence

This award recognizes individuals who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors of the Association, have made significant contributions to Psychosocial Oncology in the areas of clinical work.

2017 Recipient: Dr. Steven Simpson

Dr. Simpson obtained a BSc (Hons) in biochemistry from St. Andrews University, Scotland, in 1976. He completed his PhD in Immunochemistry in 1980 at the University of Wales Medical School in Cardiff, Wales. In 1980, he moved to Canada to study Endocrinology with Dr. Henry Friesen in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He moved to Virginia in 1983 and carried out similar studies with Dr. Maria Dufau of the National Institute for Child Health and Development at Bethesda, Maryland. While in Virginia he was also employed as a research scientist by Hazleton Biotechnology Company.

In 1986, Steve returned to Canada to study Medicine at the University of Calgary. He graduated in 1989 and completed a year of Internal Medicine at University of Calgary. In 1990 he began his residency training in psychiatry and completed his fellowship in the summer of 1994. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Oncology at the University of Calgary.

He has clinical appointments in the division of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Calgary Health Region, and the Psychosocial Resources department at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary since 1994. He is also a consulting Psychiatrist in the department of Patient and Family Counselling at the Fraser Valley Cancer Centre in Surrey, BC since 2012. He alternates his practice between these two settings.

His research interests are in psycho-oncology. He is currently working on projects looking at fatigue in cancer patients and is part of a team involved in addressing Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment.

The Award for Education Excellence

This award is made to recognize individuals who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors of the association, have made a significant contribution to education and training in psychosocial oncology in Canada.

2017 Recipient: Joan Hamilton

Joan Hamilton is a clinical nurse specialist in cancer care in the Queen Elizabeth Health Science Centre of the Nova Scotia Health Authority in Halifax.

Joan did her undergrad nursing at Dalhousie and her Master’s of Science in Nursing at McGill in palliative care nursing.

Joan started her career in Vancouver in hematology and bone marrow transplant. She has worked in St. John’s Newfoundland, Halifax, Hamilton and Montreal in oncology and palliative care.

The focus of Joan’s work as a CNS is helping advance nursing practice through nursing education, mentoring, program development, research utilization, the integration of CPG, and small project group work with front line nurses. Joan’s areas of interest/expertise include cancer-related fatigue, sexual health changes, vaginal dilation teaching post pelvic radiation, helping parents explaining serious illness and death to children, advancing nurses communication skills, managing patient distress, infertility risk reduction and mouthcare.

Joan is a member of the cancer care psychosocial team and is an adjunct professor at Dalhousie. As well as being a member of CAPO, she is also a member of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology as well as several of professional associations.

Joan has been in Halifax over the last 25 years where she and her husband have raised their children.

The CIHR – Institute for Cancer Research: CAPO Research Excellence Award

This award, formerly called the CAPO Award for Research Excellence was rebranded this year through generous support from The CIHR – Institute for Cancer Research. The Institute has signed a three-year agreement to fund this prestigious award.

The award is made to recognize an individual who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors of the association, has made a significant research contribution to Psychosocial Oncology.

2017 Recipient: Dr. Gary Rodin

Gary Rodin is the University of Toronto/University Health Network Harold and Shirley Lederman Chair in Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care and Head of the Department of Supportive Care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Rodin is also the Director of the Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC) and a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He leads a clinical and research program on the psychosocial dimensions of advanced and terminal disease and on the development and evaluation of novel interventions to improve the quality of life and the quality of dying and death in this population. These integrated psychosocial and palliative interventions include Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), a supportive-expressive psychotherapeutic treatment for patients with metastatic cancer and their caregivers, and an integrated emotion and symptom-focused intervention for individuals diagnosed with life-threatening hematological malignancies. Through GIPPEC, a University of Toronto Interdisciplinary Institute based at Princess Margaret, Dr. Rodin has established international partnerships in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East to contribute to global access to palliative and supportive care for patients and families facing advanced disease and the end of life. He has published widely in these areas and is recognized internationally for his efforts to improve the rigor of research and the effectiveness and availability of psychosocial and palliative interventions.

The CIHR – Institute for Cancer Research New Investigator Award

This award, formerly called the CAPO Early Career Award, was rebranded this year through generous support from The CIHR – Institute for Cancer Research. The Institute has signed a three-year agreement to fund this award.

The award honours a new investigator for outstanding contributions to research in the field of psychosocial oncology.

2017 Recipient: Dr. Shane Sinclair

Dr. Shane Sinclair is an Associate Professor and Cancer Care Research Professor with the University of Calgary, Faculty of Nursing. His research focuses on psychosocial and spiritual issues within oncology and palliative care, including his nationally funded program of research on compassion. Dr. Sinclair is a former Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Manitoba), current President of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, a recipient of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care Award of Excellence in Research, a top 40 under 40 awardee and a recipient of the International Psychosocial Oncology Society New Investigator Award. Dr. Sinclair’s research on spiritual care has been instrumental in enhancing research capacity within the discipline of spiritual care, establishing an evidence based approach to spiritual care practice, and has contributed to policy development on a global level. His CIHR funded program of research on compassion developed the first patient informed empirical model of compassion; delineated between patients’ perspectives of sympathy, empathy and compassion; led to the reconceptualization of compassion fatigue and self compassion, and is currently focused on the development and validation of a patient reported compassion measure.

The Student Travel Conference Award

This annual award is given to honour a CAPO student member (or recent student) who has demonstrated excellence in his or her submission of an original paper. It is open to clinicians and researchers. The focus of the manuscript can be research, clinical, and/or education.

2017 Recipient: Nicole Racine

Nicole Racine has been awarded the Student Travel Award for her paper titled: Predicting Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Cancer Survivors: Contributions to Parental Psychological Distress and Family Psychosocial Risk.

Psychosocial Care Meets Advocacy: The Therapeutic Practices for Distress Management Project

Brandon Davenport — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:32:03 GMT

by Dr. Robin McGee, CKN Editor

Recently, I joined the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology or CAPO

Dr. Deborah McLeod

An ongoing research project which tackles care delivery is the “Therapeutic Practices for Distress Management (TPDM) Project.” The inspiration of Dr. Deborah McLeod and a number of other researchers, this study examines the impact of psychosocial training on the practice of front-line oncology nurses and their work systems. (Full disclosure: I am a big fan of Dr. McLeod. As described in The Cancer Olympics, she co-led a support group of which I was a grateful participant. Also, I serve as one of the patient representatives on the project.)

What are the “four horsemen” of the cancer experience? Every patient knows them: pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Using her expertise as a nurse and Ph.D.-level training in counselling, Dr. McLeod developed online training modules for each topic. Nearly 70 oncology nurses in 5 major cancer centres across Canada spent 56 online hours aimed at developing their skill in truly listening and responding to cancer patients. Compared to a pre-training baseline, participating nurses had greater knowledge and confidence in their skills; as well, they showed observable increases in appropriate responsiveness during clinical roleplays.

The project also addressed the reality that nurses work within differing structures. Whereas some settings pair nurses with oncologists, some settings have nurses and doctors working apart. Settings vary tremendously in their hierarchies, operational flow, and on the importance they place on psychosocial issues. So for each centre, an Implementation Committee was formed comprised of key stakeholders (including patients) that examined the unique systemic factors at play. Not surprisingly, working cultures are significant determinants of the degree of psychosocial help patients get from front-line oncology nurses.

But what about the patient voice? “As an educator, I have been involved in seeking out and using patient narratives for learning forever,” says Dr. McLeod. To foster empathy and engagement, stories and dramatizations of patient struggles were used to reach the learners. One such story was “Simon’s romantic evening” in which a prostate cancer patient recounts his anguish in needing to use injections to address erectile dysfunction. “I had a nurse who had worked with prostate patients for 10 years,” Dr. McLeod recalls, “who responded to that narrative with ‘I had no idea what these men were going through!’” Opening the eyes of oncology nurses to the totality of the cancer experience helped hook them into learning, and into responsive care.

What are the key issues that CAPO ought to advocate for? Dr. McLeod, a longstanding member, hopes that CAPO will continue to develop and maintain their standards and guidelines of care. Along with advocating patient support by specialists like psychologists, she hopes they will continue to advocate for psychosocial support by generalists. “One of the biggest things,” she recommends, “CAPO ought to advocate for patient engagement and psychosocial care at every level of the health care team.”

What does all this mean for patients? There are clinicians out there who understand that the distress of cancer is as potent as the disease itself. They want to hear about distress, and teach others in the system how to address it. Any patient or caregiver can join CAPO to help this vision, and to support projects such as Dr. McLeod’s.

Dr. Robin McGee (The Cancer Olympics, Twitter @TCOrobin), is a Registered Clinical Psychologist, mother, wife, educator and friend. Living in Nova Scotia, she has worked in health and education settings for over 25 years. Since entering remission, she has been very active in advocacy, mentorship, and fundraising on behalf of cancer patients. In particular, she has been involved in provincial, national, and international initiatives aimed at improving standards of cancer care. In 2015, she was awarded the Canadian Cancer Society’s highest honour, the National Medal of Courage. Robin was recently named the 2016 recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General of Canada. Her book The Cancer Olympics has won five literary awards, and was recently listedamong the best 55 self-published books of 2015 by Kirkus reviews. Proceeds of sales go to cancer support programs. The Cancer Olympics is McGee’s first – and hopefully her last – memoir about her cancer experiences.

2016 CAPO Award Winners

Brandon Davenport — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:22:27 GMT

Life Time Achievement Award

2016 Recipient: Gina MacKenzie, MSW

Gina MacKenzie has been a Social Worker for the past 40 years – almost 35 years in oncology at the BC Cancer Agency. She has been in a Clinical Coordinator/Practice Leader role since 1988 and in 2011 accepted the Provincial Director and Practice Leader position for Psychosocial Oncology. She led the development of the Patient and Family Counselling program at the Fraser Valley Centre and was involved in the planning and design of the new cancer centres in Abbotsford and Prince George, including Patient and Family Counselling at those locations.

She has been passionate about improving access to counselling services and care. This led to the development of the first interpreter program for people with cancer at the Agency, which is now available province wide. She has also led the development of web based programs for people with cancer, their families and health care professionals including the coping with cancer section on the Agency website, the Cancerinmyfamily.ca website for children when a family member is diagnosed with cancer and more recently Facts4Teens. She provided administrative support for CancerChatCanada when it was hosted and operated by the Agency and currently is involved with colleagues to develop courses online for new staff and community Social Workers. This passion also led to participating in the development of CAPO’s “Start the Talk”.

In the late 1990s, she became interested in distress screening and led the first pilot of a psychosocial screening program at the BC Cancer Agency. This pilot led to the development of a screening instrument which is part of the new patient consultation process provincially and currently is working with a team to use an electronic format.

Gina values ongoing learning and has been involved with CAPO conferences in Vancouver numerous times, either as a member of the planning committee or Chair. She was a member of the CAPO Education committee and a Board Member. She led the program in developing a Psychosocial Oncology Graduate level course which clinicians in the program co-taught at the UBC School of Social Work prior to the availability of IPODE courses.

In the past two years, she has increased the number of Psychiatrists and recruited the BC Cancer Agency’s first Provincial Professional Practice Leader for Psychiatry. She feels most fortunate to work with clinicians and practice leaders who are highly motivated to provide excellent care and open to possibilities for innovative practice.

Award for Clinical Excellence

This award is made to recognize individuals who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors of the association, have made significant contributions to clinical excellence in the field of psychosocial oncology in Canada.

2016 Recipient: Sarah Sample, MSW

Sarah Sample has worked as a clinical oncology social worker for over 23 years, and has been Professional Practice Leader for Patient and Family Counseling at the Vancouver site of the BC Cancer Agency since 2011. She chairs the BCCA Lymphoid Cancer Education Planning Committee and her work has been recognized by a Lymphoma Foundation of Canada Appreciation of Clinical Contribution to Lymphoma Patients and Families Award. She is also the treasurer of the BC Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction Society and developed the BCCA Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction course over 15 years ago.

Sarah is passionate about helping patients and is known to put aside her impressive titles to cover on-call duties or even the reception desk if that’s what’s needed to best serve BCCA patients on a particular day. She is also able to think outside-the-box to champion the needs of underserved patient groups. For example, she created the first Lesbian Cancer Support Group at a Canadian cancer centre.

Fortunately, some of Sarah’s skills have been passed on to many as she has been a clinical supervisor for the UBC School of Social Work and Family Studies for over 15 years and also supervises and teaches junior counselors. She has presented at CAPO and other conferences on topics including death anxiety, therapeutic touch, lesbian families affected by cancer, mindfulness, and young adults with cancer, and currently chairs the local organizing committee for CAPO 2017.

Sarah Sample is an outstanding model of innovative clinical leadership who is creating a growing legacy of clinical excellence in Psychosocial Oncology at the BCCA.

CAPO Innovation Award

The CAPO Innovation Award honours the development of quality improvement and innovative clinical, educational, or organizational initiatives aimed at enhancing the performance of psychosocial cancer care or cancer prevention. Award submissions will be rated based on originality and scope, impact of initiative on processes, impact of initiative on stakeholders, meaningfulness, value for money and sustainability.

2016 Recipient: Dr. Carole Mayer, RSW, PhD

Dr. Carole Mayer is the Director of Research and Regional Psychosocial Oncology Lead of the Supportive Care Program at the Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC), Health Sciences North (HSN) in Sudbury, Ontario. She is also the Regional Lead for the Ontario Cancer Symptom Management Collaborative.

A social worker by discipline, she brings 30 years of health care experience with 27 years specializing in oncology.

Some of her achievements are leading: the implementation of Screening for Distress, 6th Vital Sign, for symptom management in 14 community chemotherapy clinics; new Models of Care for Breast and Colorectal Survivorship; the development of the Aboriginal Navigators’ roles in the cancer centre and hospital; Bridges to Better Breast Health, a breast health promotion campaign reaching over one million residents through multi-media. Establishing the need and developing one of the first Breast Diagnostic Clinics in Ontario. A founding member and advisor to the Circle of Strength, Sudbury Beast Cancer Support Group. Working collaboratively to develop and evaluate the use of the Ontario Telemedicine Network. Fostering and sustaining psychosocial/supportive care oncology programming.

Dr. Mayer says: “It has been more than a career; it is a commitment and passion for developing unique programming that best meets the needs of people affected by cancer living in urban, rural and remote communities across North- East Ontario. Of course I could not do this work without the wonderful team I work with”.

Early Career Investigator Award

The CAPO Early Career Investigator Award honours a new investigator for outstanding contributions to research in the field of psychosocial oncology. Candidates must be within seven years of completing their postgraduate, fellowship or equivalent specialist training (defined as a PhD or MD or equivalent). Recipients are distinguished by the level and quality of research output at this early career stage.

2016 Recipient: Dr. Jennifer Brunet, PhD

Jennifer Brunet (PhD) is an Assistant Professor at the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, a Research Member at the Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital Montfort, and an Affiliate Researcher at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Recognizing that physical activity is a key component for successful cancer prevention and treatment, her research goal is to reduce the growing burden of cancer in Canada through physical activity by producing findings of high scientific and applied merit.

She has conducted a series of projects to identify correlates and antecedents of physical activity behavior among people with cancer, as well as identify the mechanisms and processes by which these correlates and antecedents affect physical activity behavior (e.g., mediation and moderation effects) in order to enhance understanding and advanced knowledge of how to increase physical activity behavior. Consequently, she has used this knowledge to inform and design interventions aimed at changing physical activity behavior to enhance the quality of life of people with cancer and lessen the likelihood of them dying from cancer. She has also been involved in a number of projects aimed at testing the effectiveness of physical activity for people with cancer and developing evidence-based materials and guidelines to share knowledge that supports people in making healthy choices that will help them recover from cancer. For example, as a member of a working group facilitated by Cancer Care Ontario’s Program in Evidence-Based Care, she recently helped develop exercise guidelines for people with cancer to help bridge the gap between research and practice. In 2014, she was the recipient of the Charles Polanyi Prize in Medicine for her collective work in physical activity and cancer.

Jennifer is also dedicated to building capacity and expertise in the area of physical activity and cancer. Thus, she co-founded and co-directs the Psychosocial Oncology Group with Dr. Sophie Lebel at the University of Ottawa. The goal of the group is to create an active, knowledge-sharing, dynamic, and collaborative environment that inspires novel and practical research. Further, it is a place where researchers, health care providers, and trainees can engage in research-related activities and discussions focused on psychosocial oncology.

CAPO Member Profile – Dr. Sylvie Lambert, Assistant Professor, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University

Brandon Davenport — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:21:17 GMT

Dr. Sylvie Lambert is Assistant Professor at the Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University since August 2013. Dr. Lambert is also a Research Associate, St. Mary’s Research Centre. Her research focuses on 1) better understanding the substantial impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients’ and their caregivers’ well-being and functioning, 2) developing and evaluating illness self-management interventions that are sustainable to enhance translation in practice, 3) addressing the challenges of using patient reported outcomes in intervention programs, and the use of advanced psychometric approaches for improving the precision and efficiency of outcome evaluations.

Prior to entering the Psychosocial Oncology field in 2002, Dr. Lambert worked at the ICU. Even then, she was interested in how individuals cope and wanted to learn more in that area. Later, she joined McGill University as a graduate student under Dr. Carmen Loiselle’s supervision and completed her doctorate (2002 -2008). She completed her Postdoctoral training at the University of Newcastle under the supervision of Prof. Afaf Girgis (2009 – 2011). During this time she managed Australia’s first longitudinal study on the wellbeing of partners and caregivers, which documented the impact of caring for or living with a cancer survivor over the first five years following the initial diagnosis. After her postdoctoral studies, she joined the Translational Cancer Research Unit, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales as National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellow (2011 – 2013) and became particularly interested in developing interventions for cancer caregivers. Her team developed and tested Coping-Together – a self-directed coping skills training intervention for patients with cancer and their spouse caregivers. She considers the development of Coping-Together as one of her greatest achievement.

Since Dr Lambert has returned to Canada she has continued to focus on developing and testing sustainable coping skills and self-management interventions for patients with cancer and their caregivers. She recently received funding from Prostate Cancer Canada to develop a web-based home-based exercise program and psychosocial self-management intervention for men with prostate cancer and their caregivers. She also plans to expand her research around patients and caregivers with low literacy and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Lambert acknowledges the support of Dr. Afaf Girgis, as she laid the foundation for her research career, helped her refine her research interests, mentored her in areas on how to initiate and manage a research study and more importantly how to become an independent researcher. She also recognizes Dr. Carmen Loiselle, as she accepted her as a graduate student and helped her enter the field. She stated “without them I wouldn’t be where I am today”.

When asked what she enjoys the most about her job, she said “I love what I do”. She admits that she feels that she is able to make a make a difference for patients and their families. Teaching and mentoring is another aspect of her work that she loves and is currently supervising nine graduate students (seven masters and 2 PhD) and teaching a course “Learning and Health Education”.

She stated “Psychosocial Oncology field is growing and in the right direction. More and more people are entering the field, and the Psychosocial issues are being valued by all – clinicians, researchers, patients and caregivers. We need to be innovative and find ways to address the issues, needs and understand what people really want”.

Dr. Lambert is a CAPO member because it is an arena where she can meet other researchers and clinicians in the field. The conference is a great opportunity to liaise with colleagues, and learn about their research. She particularly appreciates some of the new services, including the newsletter, Sosido, and profiling of the members. She wants to be more involved with the organization.

When asked what would be her advice to someone who is thinking about entering the profession, she said ‘The first step would be to find the mentor that matches your career interests and to find the research lab that meets your interests”.

Thanks to CAPO member and volunteer Dr. Violet D’Souza, University of Montreal, for writing this profile.

WANT TO BE PROFILED?

If you’re a current CAPO member and interested in being profiled, please contact the CAPO office with your name and email address.

ABOUT CAPO:

The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) is a national registered charity that promotes excellence in psychosocial care for people with cancer and their families throughout the cancer experience—from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship or death. We work to transform cancer care wherever it is delivered—in hospital, in the community and in hospices. Advancement in psychosocial oncology have been significant and CAPO continues to be a world leader. We believe change will come through more research, better education and improved clinical practice.

CAPO Member Profile – Josée Charlebois, Intake Coordinator, Ottawa Hospital Psychosocial Oncology Program

Brandon Davenport — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:17:51 GMT

Josée Charlebois is a social worker, currently working as an Intake Coordinator at the Ottawa Hospital Psychosocial Oncology Program (PSOP). She is part of the supportive cancer care team and is responsible for providing services to cancer patients and their family members.

Josée works with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals and is the point person for her colleagues in PSOP, as well as for other healthcare professionals within the clinic. Her day-to-day work involves crisis counselling for patients who receive cancer diagnoses. She meets with physicians and nurses, goes to the clinics, stops by if they need help, and helps in the best possible ways. She prioritizes the referrals received and makes referrals to appropriate resources that are available.

During her teen years, Josée lost her grandmother to cancer. She notes, “I saw her suffer and we suffered as a family. We could not help her, we did not know how to. There weren’t as many services or resources available as there are today, especially in the psychosocial side. There was no family support, no information concerning how to support the family member with cancer.” This personal cancer experience initiated Josée’s desire to change and improve the services for people with cancers. She wanted to make a difference to those who are affected by cancer.

Josée loves what she does at PSOP. When asked what she enjoyed most about her job, she said “No two days are the same and that is what I like about my work. I never know what to expect and that is the kind of environment I thrive in. The best part of my work is variety; I do different things every day. Although it can be challenging, it is also very rewarding.” She admits that another most rewarding and enjoyable attributes of her job is that she is able to make a positive impact on patients and their families. She stated “Although I cannot cure their cancer, I can make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. Knowing that I am contributing to the betterment in the lives of my patients makes me feel that my work is worthwhile.” Teaching is another thing that Josée really loves and she is able to pursue this at her current position. She is also involved in providing and developing patient education materials at The Ottawa Hospital and Cancer Care Ontario. Patient Navigation is another area that she is interested in and is looking to explore it further.

Josée considers developing and maintaining her Intake Position at PSOP to be one of her greatest accomplishments. She wants to continue to make a positive difference to the field in whatever possible way. Josée sees Diane Manii, the PSOP manager as a great mentor, good friend and the biggest influence in her career path. Diane encouraged her to develop knowledge and skills, helped her see the potential in her work and contributions to cancer care, and encouraged her to work hard while remembering to take care of herself. Josée stated “Diane gave me opportunities and believed in me and it has made me a stronger person. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for her.”

She admits that the Psychosocial Oncology field is getting more attention; however, there is still much room for development and improvement. Josée recognizes that in the recent years numerous efforts are being directed to the field of Psychosocial Oncology to address the challenges that cancer families face in this fast-changing world. Her key learnings are “There is always something that we can make a difference in and getting involved is the first step. As a Psychosocial Oncology professional, we have to be involved in moulding the profession to cater to help those who are affected by cancer directly and indirectly.”

Josée emphasizes that “the Psychosocial Oncology is a field where you can make great friends and it really is a fulfilling line of work!” She acknowledges meeting amazing people in this field. Josée is a CAPO member and loves being part of it. She is interested in networking with likeminded people, and also in learning from those in her field. She sees CAPO as a resource arena with lots of opportunities for both personal and professional growth in the field of Psychosocial Oncology. Joining CAPO is another outlet in which Josée believes she can make a difference.

When asked what would be her advice to someone who is thinking about entering the profession, she argues that “Psychosocial Oncology is a hard line of work and is not a type of work for everyone. My suggestion is to always try it out before committing to this career. Try getting involved, doing some volunteer work, and talking to someone in the field prior to starting. People need to be invested and involved to fully contribute to the development of this field. They need to know themselves and know their limits.”

Thanks to CAPO member and volunteer Dr. Violet D’Souza, University of Montreal, for writing this profile.