Research Summaries
Patient Experience Map
The Current State of Cancer Diagnosis in Canada
The first iteration of ACC’s ‘The Current State of Cancer Diagnosis in Canada’ patient experience map came out of 2-year mixed-methods research project from 2019-2021 which assessed the current state of cancer diagnosis in Canada.
Often coined “the spaghetti map”, the graphic depicts the complicated trajectory one experiences while undergoing investigation for possible cancer, often cycling through visits to primary care or the emergency room, and facing numerous delays at various points along the diagnostic path.
Following ACC’s 3rd Roundtable, ‘Optimizing Equitable Cancer Diagnoses in Canada,’ we learned from participants that many people in underserved populations and First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities have been filtered out of this map, as they face further structural barriers to accessing the healthcare system. They do not even get into the early phase of diagnosis. Intersecting and compounding factors were named that cross all levels of health care from the micro to the meso to the macro. These intersectional factors can stop or drastically slow people from engaging with the healthcare system at all.
We’re pleased to share the updated version of our updated ‘Current State’ patient experience map, which incorporates the feedback from our 3rd Roundtable from underserved populations and FNIM communities.
'Optimizing Diagnosis in Canadian Cancer Care' Research Summary
Desired Future State map
The 'Desired Future State of Cancer Diagnosis in Canada' patient experience map offers a snapshot of what we envision diagnosis should look like for people in Canada who are investigating a suspicion of cancer. It reflects the findings from our original mixed-methods research combined with the themes from the 2025 'Optimizing Equitable Cancer Diagnoses in Canada' Roundtables.
Bird's Eye View: Current to Future State map
