Family physicians and nurses play a crucial role in cancer care, greatly influencing patients’ participation in cancer screening and providing care and support for patients and their families throughout the cancer journey. To strengthen the connection between family medicine and the cancer system, Cancer Care Ontario created a Primary Care Program in 2008. This program is a key strategy for improving the quality of cancer care in Ontario, as outlined in the 2008-2011 Ontario Cancer Plan .

Primary Care and Cancer Engagement Strategy

To guide its work, the Primary Care Program developed a Primary Care and Cancer Engagement Strategy. This clear plan of action will focus initially on improving screening and detection rates within the ColonCancerCheck program and eventually expand to other screening programs and the whole cancer pathway.

Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network

To implement the Primary Care Strategy across the province, regional primary care leads have been recruited in each Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to act as local contacts for primary care providers and regional cancer programs in Ontario. Together with the provincial primary care lead, they form a Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network (PPCCN).

In  October 2008 a two-day meeting was held to launch the network. This event, which included presentations by experts in cancer screening and facilitated group discussions, was videotaped and is available to view online.

View presentations from the launch event

Find out more about the Primary Care Program

• Primary Care and Cancer Strategy brochure 
• Journal article - Canadian Family Physician, November 2009: Provincial primary care and cancer engagement strategy
  
• Results of the Symposium on the Integration of Family Practices and the Cancer Care System

Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network Management Team

• Dr. Cheryl Levitt, Provincial Primary Care Lead
• Dr. Doina Lupea, Program Manager

Regional Primary Care Leads

• Dr. Rob Annis, South West LHIN
• Dr. Marla Ash, Central LHIN
• Dr. Praveen Bansal, Central West / Mississauga Halton LHINs
• Dr. Sandy Buchman, Toronto Central LHIN
• Dr. John Day, Erie St. Clair LHIN
• Dr. Lee Donohue, Champlain LHIN
• Dr. Amanda Hey, North East LHIN
• Dr. Danusia Gzik, North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN
• Dr. Hugh Langley, South East LHIN
• Dr. Michael Mills, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN
• Dr. Heather McLean, North West LHIN
• Dr. Sophie Wilson, Waterloo Wellington LHIN
• Dr. Sheila-Mae Young, Central East LHIN