Breast Cancer Sisters Information-ER

Patient 

   Charter

Principles of Care Delivery for Breast Cancer Patients in Canada

Recognizing that the Canada Health Act guarantees Canadians the right to universal, high-quality medical care delivered in a timely manner, as Canadians, we need to ensure that all breast cancer patients have access to:

? Timely and appropriate care by a healthcare team;

? Optimum standard of care and best practices, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, surgery, treatment, support, follow-up, reconstruction and palliative care;

? Comprehensive information and data about the best evidenced-based treatments and the optimum standard of care appropriate to each diagnosis;

? Psychological, spiritual and emotional support (often called ?psychosocial services?) and related information for patients, families and caregivers, including specialized services of psychologists, social workers, and oncology nurses;

? Nationally certified, high-quality screening, diagnostic and treatment equipment operated by accredited professionals;

? Treatment in a suitably equipped and organized practice, hospital or cancer centre;

? Comprehensive coverage of medical costs through Medicare, and where costs are not covered, information on financial assistance.

As a breast cancer patient, you have the right to:

? Make your own informed treatment decisions (including the right to pursue alternative or complementary therapies or refuse treatment);

? Define quality of life in your own terms;

? Be fully informed of all treatment options and data about best evidence-based treatments, even if they are not available where you are being treated;

? Information and educational material about treatment and available services;

? Receive information about follow-up care, and regular follow-up visits with healthcare professionals to monitor progress and discuss treatment needs;

? Be informed of the resources available to assist you with the financial implications and costs associated with your diagnosis;

? Receive information about clinical trials for which you are eligible;

? Refuse to participate in clinical trials without prejudice to your treatment;

? Privacy, confidentiality and personal data protection;

? Review your medical records;

? Obtain a second opinion to provide confidence in your diagnosis and treatment;

? Lodge a complaint;

? Freedom from discrimination because of a cancer diagnosis;

? Be treated by a qualified, interdisciplinary healthcare team that:

? Communicates in simple, clear and understandable language;

? Provides translation services if your first language is not spoken by healthcare team members;

? Provides sensitive, empathetic treatment;

? Respects your cultural, religious and sexual orientation;

? Modifies procedures to minimize potential harm.