The following are frequently asked questions. Please refer to this information if you are telling a friend or family member about the Cancer Patient Family Network (CPFN).

What exactly is the Cancer Patient Family Network?
The Cancer Patient Family Network (CPFN) is a group of Nova Scotians (about 800 to date) who have been affected by cancer and want to be part of making the cancer system better. The CPFN is helping Cancer Care Nova Scotia tap into the valuable insight, feedback and advice that patients, survivors and family members  have on how to improve the cancer care system in Nova Scotia.

What does the Cancer Patient Family Network actually do?
As members of the Network, patients and survivors and their families can help affect positive change within our Nova Scotia cancer system. The network:
•keeps its members in touch with the cancer system
•includes its members when decisions are being made regarding changes and   improvements to the way we provide care
•asks its members for advice and feedback
•provides a venue for members to voice concerns
•can be a very powerful and effective tool in creating an informed public outlook on cancer issues.

Why do we have a Cancer Patient Family Network?
We need to hear from the people who have experienced the cancer system so that we can continually improve it. Through the Network, we can facilitate the exchange of information between patients, their families and the cancer care system. Our goal is for the Nova Scotia cancer system to provide quality care to people when and where they need it.

What is the difference between the Cancer Patient Family Network and the Canadian Cancer Society?
The Cancer Patient Family Network is a program of Cancer Care Nova Scotia, which is a program of the Department of Health. Our job is to work with existing cancer service providers and cancer patients and their families to create a quality cancer care system. We provide leadership and coordination to improve all aspects of cancer care in Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is a national, charitable organization providing peer support programs for cancer patients and families, cancer information and programs that help people reduce their risk of cancer. The CCS is Canada’s largest charitable funder of cancer research. It also advocates on behalf of people who have been affected by cancer for improvements in all aspects of cancer care.

For information about CCS services in your community, call 1-800-696-0222, visit www.cancer.ca or call the CCS Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.

* For more information on any of the issues mentioned, please contact Emmie Luther-Hiltz at (902) 473-2637, Toll free: 1-866-599-2267 or email: ccns.nshealth.ca