Overview of the Engagement Process to Develop the Future of Cancer Impact (FOCI) Report in Alberta: The Power of Collective Action.

This commentary provides a detailed overview of the extensive stakeholder engagement efforts critical to the development of the Future of Cancer Impact (FOCI) in Alberta report. The overarching aim of the FOCI report was to support informed and strategic discussions and actions that will help key stakeholders in the province prepare for a future with increasing cancer incidence and survival. Employing a comprehensive approach and a diverse range of engagement activities, insights from a wide spectrum of stakeholders were gathered and subsequently used to shape the content of the report. This inclusive process ensured broad representation of perspectives, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities in cancer care. The outcome is a robust, consensus-driven report with recommendations set to drive significant transformations within the healthcare system. These efforts highlight the critical role of extensive, inclusive, and collaborative engagement in shaping healthcare initiatives and advancing discussions crucial for the future of cancer care in Alberta.

Exploring the Future of Cancer Impact in Alberta: Projections and Trends 2020-2040.

The impact of cancer in Alberta is expected to grow considerably, largely driven by population growth and aging. The Future of Cancer Impact (FOCI) initiative offers an overview of the present state of cancer care in Alberta and highlights potential opportunities for research and innovation across the continuum. In this paper, we present a series of detailed projections and analyses regarding cancer epidemiological estimates in Alberta, Canada. Data on cancer incidence and mortality in Alberta (1998-2018) and limited-duration cancer prevalence in Alberta (2000-2019) were collected from the Alberta Cancer Registry. We used the Canproj package in the R software to project these epidemiological estimates up to the year 2040. To estimate the direct management costs, we ran a series of microsimulations using the OncoSim All Cancers Model. Our findings indicate that from 2020, the total number of annual new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths are projected to increase by 56% and 49% by 2040, respectively. From 2019, the five-year prevalence of all cancers in Alberta is projected to increase by 86% by 2040. In line with these trends, the overall direct cost of cancer management is estimated to increase by 53% in 2040. These estimates and projections are integral to future strategic planning and investment.

From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Significant intervals from the identification of suspicious symptoms to a definitive diagnosis of cancer are common. Streamlining pathways to diagnosis may increase survival, quality of life post-treatment, and patient experience. Discussions of pathways to diagnosis from the perspective of patients and family members are crucial to advancing cancer diagnosis. AIM: To examine the perspectives of a group of patients with cancer and family members in Alberta, Canada, on factors associated with timelines to diagnosis and overall experience. METHODS: A qualitative approach was used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients with cancer (n = 18) and patient relatives (n = 5) were conducted and subjected to a thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Participants struggled emotionally in the diagnostic period. Relevant to their experience were: potentially avoidable delays, concerns about health status, and misunderstood investigation process. Participants emphasized the importance of their active involvement in the care process, and had unmet supportive care needs. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial supports available to potential cancer patients and their families are minimal, and may be important for improved experiences before diagnosis. Access to other patients' lived experiences with the diagnostic process and with cancer, and an enhanced supportive role of family doctors might help improve experiences for patients and families in the interval before receiving a diagnosis of cancer, which may have a significant impact on wellbeing.

Adherence to Canadian physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines among children 2 to 13 years of age.

Active living is relevant for healthy child development and disease prevention. In 2011-2012 new Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines were developed for children under four and 5-17 years of age. This cross-sectional study assessed children's adherence to the national guidelines, using a large sample of Alberta children ages 2-4 and 5-13 years in 2013. The proportions of children achieving the average daily duration of physical activity and screen time recommended were determined, and child and parental predictors of non-achievement were identified. Participants were 631 parent and child dyads. Data were collected by parental reports of physical activity and screen time during weekdays, and analysed using univariate and multivariate techniques (p < 0.05). Logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with children's non-achievement of physical activity and screen time recommendations while adjusting for covariates. Sixty-two percent of children aged 2-4 and 26% of children aged 5-13 did not meet physical activity time recommendations, and 64% of children aged 2-4 and 23% of children aged 5-13 exceeded the maximum screen time recommendation. Several associations between parental age and education with non-achievement were observed but associations were not consistent across age groups or behaviours. Among preschoolers, those with middle-age parents were more likely to not achieve physical activity recommendations. Evidence of high non-achievement of the recommendations among children 2-4 years highlights the need for increased programming targeting preschool children. Further research is required to identify modifiable risk factors that may inform future health promotion efforts.

El bosque tropical seco en riesgo: Conflictos entre uso agropecuario, desarrollo turístico y provisión de servicios ecosistémicos en la Costa de Jalisco, México / The dry tropical forest at risk: Conflicts between agricultural and cattle use, turism development, and provision of ecosystemic services in the Coast of Jalisco, Mexico / O bosque tropical seco em risco: Conflitos entre uso agropecuario, desenvolvimento turístico e provisão de serviços ecossistêmicos na Costa de Jalisco, México

El bosque tropical seco (BTS) es un ambiente de alto valor ecológico y en la región del Pacífico mexicano cubre extensas áreas. La Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala, Jalisco, México, protege poco más de 13000ha de este ecosistema. No hay comunidades humanas dentro de la reserva, pero en su zona aledaña la mayor parte de las tierras pertenecen a campesinos ejidatarios, y en la región colindante con el mar existen hoteles, casas de playa y otras facilidades turísticas. Con el fin de estudiar las relaciones entre la sociedad y el BTS, el presente trabajo analiza 1) aspectos de la historia ambiental de la región, 2) las visiones de los campesinos sobre el uso y transformación de este ecosistema, y 3) las unidades turísticas y la provisión de servicios ecosistémicos. Históricamente la región se pobló lentamente y los bosques se han visto como ambientes difíciles para el trabajo productivo. El reparto agrario y las políticas públicas han sido los principales motores de la transformación de los bosques. A pesar de ello aun existe una cobertura forestal de 50-80% en las tierras campesinas. El desarrollo turístico ha sido lento a pesar del alto potencial que se le ha dado desde hace décadas. La zona se encuentra en riesgo debido a proyectos turísticos de gran envergadura que pueden ocasionar graves deterioros de los ecosistemas y de sus capacidades de proveer servicios.

The tropical dry forest (TDF) constitutes an environment of a high ecological value and covers extensive areas in the Mexican Pacific. The Biosphere Reserve of Chamela-Cuixmala, in Jalisco, México, protects over 13000ha of this ecosystem. There are no human communities within the Reserve, but in its neighboring area most of the land belongs to farmers (ejidatarios), while in the coastal zone there are hotels, beach houses and other touristic facilities. In order to study the relations between society and the TDF, this work analyzes 1) aspects of the environmental history of the region, 2) the visions of farmers about the use and transformation of this ecosystem, and 3) the touristic units and the provision of ecosystemic services. Historically, the region was slowly populated and forests have been seen as difficult environments for productive labor. The agrarian reform land distribution and public policies have been the main drivers of forest transformation. Despite of this, there is still a 50-80% forest cover in farmers land. The touristic development has been slow in view of the high potential it has had for decades. The zone is currently at risk due to large touristic projects that can produce severe deterioration of the ecosystems and their service-providing capacities.

O bosque tropical seco (BTS) é um ambiente de alto valor ecológico e na região do Pacifico mexicano cobre extensas áreas. A Reserva da Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala, Jalisco, México, protege pouco mais de 13000 ha deste ecossistema. Não há comunidades humanas dentro da reserva, mas na sua zona aledanha a maior parte das terras pertencem a camponeses ejidatarios, e na região colindante com o mar existem hoteis, casas de praia e oturas facilidades turísticas. Com o fim de estudar as relações entre a sociedade e o BTS, o presente trabalho analisa 1) aspectos da historia ambiental da região, 2) as visões dos camponeses sobre o uso e transformação deste ecossistema, e 3) as unidades turísticas e a provisão de serviços ecossisêmicos. Históricamente a região se povuou lentamente e os bosques tem sido vistos como ambientes difíceis para o trabalho produtivo. A repartição agrária e as políticas públicas tem sido os principais motores da transformação dos bosques. A pesar disto ainda existe uma cobertura florestal de 50-80% nas terras camponesas. O desenvolvimento turístico tem sido lento a pesar do alto potencial que se lhe tem dado desde faz décadas. A zona se encontra em risco devido a projetos turísticos de grande envergadura que podem ocasionar graves deterioros dos ecossistemas e de suas capacidades de prover serviços.