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What we are doing

The Canadian Cancer Society works with government to bring about healthy public policies that will help prevent cancer and improve the lives of people living with cancer and their caregivers.
  1. Home
  2. Get involved
  3. Advocacy
  4. What we are doing

Working to improve cancer care through public policy​

We bring together the voices of people affected by cancer to influence the policies that shape cancer care. By working with governments, partners and communities, we focus on removing barriers, improving quality and expanding access to timely, responsive care and supports.
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Clinical trials action plan

Clinical trials are about today. For people facing cancer and their families, the time to act is now. 
Read the action plan now
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Access to colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is rising sharply in younger adults. Lowering the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 will help catch cancers sooner and improve health outcomes among younger adults.
Learn more about access to colorectal cancer screening
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Access to breast cancer screening

Equitable and timely access to breast screening is important to find breast cancers early when chances of successful treatment are better.
Learn more about access to breast cancer screening
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Palliative care

Canadians should have access to affordable, high-quality palliative care, regardless of where they live or choose to receive care.
Learn more about palliative care
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Cervical cancer

Eliminating cervical cancer in Canada is within reach – but will require continued commitment and sustained efforts from all provinces and territories to keep prevention moving forward.
Send a letter
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Prostate cancer

Canadians should have equitable access to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for early detection of prostate cancer and for the medications a diagnosis often requires without having to pay out of pocket, regardless of where they live in Canada. 
Learn more about access to PSA testing
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Tobacco control

Policies that promote smoking reduction and tobacco control help lower tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada.
Learn more about tobacco control
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Alcohol policy

Canada should have policies that increase awareness about the risk of alcohol-related cancer and reduce alcohol consumption.
Learn what we're doing with alcohol policy
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Radon

Canadians need to know that the places they live, work, and play are safe.
Improve national radon safety
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Job-protected leave

Canadians deserve to have their jobs protected while they take necessary time off to receive and recover from cancer treatment.
Learn more about job-protected leave
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Healthy living

Policies that support healthy living can make a real difference to reduce individual cancer risk.
Learn more about healthy living
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Health system funding

Governments must work together and invest in our healthcare to ensure people get the care they need when they need it.
The importance of health system funding

Government pre-budget submissions​

As the leading voice on cancer in Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society participates in pre‑budget consultations with federal, provincial and territorial governments. Through these submissions, we provide recommendations that focus on preventing cancer, improving access to care and reducing the burden of cancer on people and families.

Our submissions are informed by the experiences of people affected by cancer, research evidence and insights from across our advocacy work. Access our current pre‑budget submissions by selecting a province or territory.

Be a voice for change

Join our network of advocates who are committed to preventing cancer and improving the lives of people affected by cancer through government action. By adding your voice, you help strengthen advocacy efforts that influence decisions impacting cancer care and support.

Become an advocate
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Help amplify the voices of people affected by cancer

Changing public policy is one of the most effective tools for preventing cancer and helping those affected by it.

With just $5 from people like you, we can continue to connect government decision-makers with thousands of patients and caregivers to make cancer care better, everywhere in Canada.

If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund transformative advocacy, the most promising research, and reliable cancer information and support. Please give today. Thank you.