My Cancer,
My Choice
Cancer treatment affects more than health— it affects everyday life
In some cases, patients may have choices in how their cancer treatment is delivered — and these differences can affect daily life, comfort, schedules, caregiving responsibilities, and overall treatment experience.
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A message from
the patient community
Cancer care is evolving, and patients are having to navigate increasingly complex treatment journeys. Understanding the practical aspects of cancer care — including how treatment may fit into everyday life — can help people feel more informed and better prepared for conversations with their healthcare team.
- Kathleen Barnard
Founder, Save Your Skin Foundation
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A patient’s perspective
Meet Marie- Ève, a young mother living with cancer.
When I was first diagnosed with cancer, the first question I asked myself was: “Why me?”
Cancer suddenly became part of my life, but I did not want it to become my whole life. Once I moved through the initial shock, I wanted to find ways to regain some control over my experience with cancer.
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Why this matters
Quality of life means different things to different people. Understanding how treatment may fit into daily life can help patients have more informed conversations with their healthcare team about what matters most to them.
While treatment decisions are based on many factors, how treatment is delivered may influence practical aspects of care such as appointment schedules, travel needs, time spent receiving treatment, and how treatment fits into daily life.
Ways Cancer Treatment
Can be Delivered
Cancer treatment can sometimes be delivered in different ways depending on the treatment, cancer type, what’s available, and individual circumstances.
How treatment is delivered may influence practical parts of care — such as appointment schedules, travel needs, time spent receiving treatment, and how treatment fits into daily life. Understanding different treatment delivery methods for the treatment you have been prescribed can help support informed conversations with your healthcare team.
Important to know:
Not all treatments are available in every format, and treatment decisions should always be made with your healthcare team. When the prescribed treatment is available in different delivery methods, patients and healthcare teams may consider factors such as appointment schedules, treatment setting, time spent receiving care, monitoring requirements, and personal preferences. The examples below show some common ways cancer medicines can be delivered. Other delivery methods may be used for certain treatments or cancer types.
Oral Treatment
What is it? Medicine taken by mouth.
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Questions You May Want to Ask Your Healthcare Team
Checklist
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Is my treatment available in different delivery methods?
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Where would treatment take place?
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What monitoring will be needed?
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How may treatment fit into my daily life?
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What factors should I consider when discussing treatment delivery options?
Common Questions About Cancer Treatment Delivery
Understanding treatment options and how care may fit into everyday life can raise important questions.
Below are answers to common questions about treatment delivery, treatment experiences, and factors that may shape care decisions.
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Dr. Joël Claveau
Dermatologist in Quebec City
My Cancer, My Choice,
My Voice.
Current and former cancer patients have valuable perspectives on how treatment delivery affects everyday life. By sharing your experience, you can help inform future efforts aimed at improving awareness of and access to treatment delivery options
Patient Community Resources
This campaign brings together patient organizations from across the cancer community to support greater awareness of treatment experience, informed conversations, and patient-centred care. Discover the patient organizations behind the campaign and the support they provide to the cancer community.
