Every day in Alberta, over 60 people hear these three words. One in two Albertans will hear these words in their lifetime.[1]
By 2040, the number of new cases in Alberta annually is projected to be over 33,700, a 36% increase since 2019. [2] Thankfully people are also living longer with cancer, further escalating the need for support for those who are impacted.
We all know the importance of cancer research and medical treatment. However, those living with cancer know that the steps to recovery, the mindset of living well, and the hope of living longer with cancer, all require support and resources beyond the medical umbrella.
Wellspring offers programs and services that meet the identified needs of those living with cancer.
The emotional distress of a cancer patient with unmet emotional needs can escalate to significant levels where it can compromise adherence to therapy, increase utilization of other healthcare services and elevate costs for care.[6]
Wellspring has devoted its work to address these non-medical impacts of cancer. Research shows cancer patients who participate in the types of programs offered at Wellspring experience improved mental health resulting in higher quality of life and lower healthcare costs.[7]
In other words, Wellspring’s programs and supports benefit people diagnosed, caregivers and their families, and reduce the strain on healthcare resources.
In addition to dealing with pain, nausea and fatigue, many are worried about their families, finances, jobs and future. For many, significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges persist for years after diagnosis, and for some, the situation seems unrecoverable.
More than one in two patients with cancer report they have symptoms causing distress during treatment. Of these: [3]
2 in 3 cancer survivors experience difficult times after treatment ends. Of these: [3]
Cancer also has a substantial economic burden. One-third of individuals experienced a high financial burden caused by expenses related to their care. Overall, an average of:[4]
In addition to challenges faced by all who are living with cancer, there are unique challenges faced by those living outside of Calgary and Edmonton.
Some of these challenges include:[8]
Barriers to quality cancer support services can result in isolation and poorer health outcomes for patients and caregivers, including higher incidence and mortality rates for some cancers than their urban counterparts.[9]
All of Wellspring Alberta’s programs are funded through donors like you.
Your generosity improves the lives of people living with cancer.
Sources:
[1] Surveillance & Reporting: The 2021 Report on Canadian Statistics in Alberta. Edmonton: Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, 2021. https://public.tableau.com/profile/cancercontrol.ab
[2] Surveillance & Reporting: The 2021 Report on Canadian Statistics in Alberta. Edmonton: Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, 2021. https://public.tableau.com/profile/cancercontrol.ab
Alberta Health Services (2022). Future of cancer impact in Alberta: Main report. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/about/scn/ahs-scn-cancer-future-of-cancer-impact-alberta.pdf
[3] CPAC: Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control Companion Data, Priority 5: Deliver information and supports for people living with cancer, families and caregivers (2020). Available at: https://s22457.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CSCC-Companion-Data-Priority-5-EN.pdf
[5] Malagon (2021), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.33884
[6] Fitch, M.I. (2008) Supportive care framework. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 1 (18) 6-14. Doi:10.5737/1181912×181614 http://www.canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/248/251
[7] Carlson and Bultz, 2004, Compen et al, 2019, Dieng et al 2016, Simpson et al 2001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15578622/
[8] Government of Canada Statistics Canada (2021) Census in Brief: Population growth in Canada’s rural areas, 2016 to 2021. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/98-200-x/2021002/98-200-x2021002-eng.pdf
Rural Health Physicians Action Plan (2022). A vision for rural health. https://rhpap.ca/rhpap-u/vision-rural-health/
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (2014). Disparities in cancer control: a system performance special focus report. Toronto, Ont. https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/topics/disparities-in-cancer-control/
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. (2020). Lung cancer and equity: A focus on income and geography. Toronto, Ont. https://s22457.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lung-cancer-and-equity-report-EN.pdf
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (2021). Equity-focused interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening: Program Pack. Toronto, Ont. https://s22457.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Equity-focused-interventions-colorectal-cancer-screening-EN.pdf
Olson, R. A., Howard, F., Turnbull, K., Munroe, D., Zirul, C., Manji, R., Tobin, P., & Ward, A. (2014). Prospective evaluation of unmet needs of rural and aboriginal cancer survivors in Northern British Columbia. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 21(2), e179–e185. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.21.1729
Canadian Medical Association (2019). Quick facts on Canada’s physicians. https://www.cma.ca/quick-facts-canadas-physicians
Fitch, Lockwood, G., & Nicoll, I. (2021). Physical, emotional, and practical concerns, help-seeking and unmet needs of rural and urban dwelling adult cancer survivors. European Journal of Oncology Nursing: the Official Journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 53, 101976–101976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2021.101976
Loughery, & Woodgate, R. L. (2015). Supportive care needs of rural individuals living with cancer: A literature review. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 25(2), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.5737/23688076252157166.ca/topics/equity-colorectal-cancer-screening/
Ahmed, & Shahid, R. K. (2012). Disparity in cancer care: a Canadian perspective. Current Oncology (Toronto), 19(6), e376–382. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.19.1177
[9] Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (2014). Disparities in cancer control: a system performance special focus report. https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/topics/disparities-in-cancer-control/
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Lung cancer and equity: A focus on income and geography. (2020). https://s22457.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lung-cancer-and-equity-report-EN.pdf
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (2021). Equity-focused interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening: Program Pack. Toronto, Ont. https://s22457.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Equity-focused-interventions-colorectal-cancer-screening-EN.pdf
Charitable #: 80901 3675 RR0001
Wellspring Organization Websites
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