December 10, 2015 – New cervical cancer portal provides essential information for Canadian women

Ottawa, December 10, 2015: The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is pleased to announce the launch of its newest website portal on cervical cancer at https://survivornet.ca/en/cancer_basics/cervical_cancer_portal .

Approximately 1,050 Canadian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, and this number increases every year.  For those dealing with this type of cancer, the journey from diagnosis to treatment and management of the disease is rarely a road travelled alone. Spouses, partners, children, extended family, friends and even colleagues may share in the burden of this life-changing disease.

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) recognizes the heavy burden a diagnosis of cervical cancer places not only on women who are diagnosed with it, but on their families and extended support networks. In response, CCSN has created an online portal recognizing and addressing the experience of cervical cancer, whether in its early or more advanced stages.

“It is critically important to address the information needs and concerns of women diagnosed with cervical cancer and their families,” said Jackie Manthorne, President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. “Each woman will have her own experience of cervical cancer. Aside from purely medical considerations, the journey includes many practical decisions and adjustments. Each of these changes has the potential to impact those closest to them. Providing families and other caregivers a place to find reliable information they can relate to, and a place to connect, can help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with a cervical cancer diagnosis.”

About the Portal

The Cervical Cancer Portal provides a trusted and accurate source of information and resources. Like the spokes of a wheel, sections on the portal centralize information on the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, provide information and resources on financial planning and address the issues that caregivers face. It also provides detailed information that the HPV test for cervical cancer is more accurate than the Pap test in that it detects cancer risk earlier and prevents more deaths than the Pap test.

The Cervical Cancer Portal includes the following sections:

  • Cervical Cancer Screening: the HPV and Pap test
  • HPV and cervical cancer risk factors
  • Diagnosis of cervical cancer
  • Cervical cancer treatment
  • Living well with cervical cancer
  • Caregiving and cervical cancer
  • Financial information and resources

Social media platforms including a cervical cancer Twitter account, @cervicalcanca, as well as the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s general Twitter account, @survivornetca.

About the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) works to connect patients, survivors and other stakeholder groups with decision makers and the wider community to engage in discussion and to act on evidence-based best practices to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial and social costs of cancer. CCSN encourages and conducts research on ways to overcome barriers to optimal cancer care and follow-up for survivors in Canada.

This website portal was made possible by the generous support of Qaigen.

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For additional information or interviews:

Jackie Manthorne, President & CEO
Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
1-613-898-1871
jmanthorne@survivornet.ca