With the support of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank through the Healthcare Unburdened Grant, GCI Researcher Dr. Jessica McAlpine – GCI Researcher, BC Cancer surgeon-scientist, and Director of the Gynecologic Tissue Bank – aims to improve support and empowerment for gynecologic cancer survivors after treatment.
The problem
More than 1.6 million Canadians are transitioning into life after cancer — they face fear of recurrence, complex health needs, and uncertainty about what is their “new normal.” With rising numbers of cancer survivors, specialist scarcity, and knowledge gaps among healthcare providers, there is a growing need for survivorship care. In a 2018 needs assessment for primary oncology in BC, 50% of physicians expressed a lack of confidence managing survivorship care. Currently in BC, patients with gynecological cancers are not provided with survivorship care plans when they complete treatment. This escalating demand is contributing to burnout among health care providers. In Ontario, 73% of oncologists currently report burnout symptoms, with administrative burden identified as a key driver.
The solution
Survivor Advisor is an interactive, customizable digital application for patients navigating breast and gynecological cancer survivorship care. Using decision-support algorithms and automation, this tool empowers clinicians to create customized care plans in just five minutes. It also ensures dynamic, tailored plans, including educational materials, symptom trackers and screening reminders. This project will initially address critical areas of need in two provinces, focusing on breast cancer at The Ottawa Hospital and gynecological cancers at BC Cancer.
“By empowering patients with personalized interactive digital cancer survivorship plans, Survivor Advisor simultaneously optimizes care while relieving pressure on cancer centers and family physicians, as well as supporting patients with no primary care provider.” – Dr. Anna Wilkinson
The innovators
BC Cancer Foundation — the fundraising partner of BC Cancer — supports world-leading scientists and clinicians across BC as they advance global innovation and improve access to cutting-edge cancer care. With physician partners in Ontario and BC, this team is led by Dr. Jessica McAlpine, a gynecological oncologist and researcher at BC Cancer and the University of British Columbia. Survivor Advisor was originally conceived and developed by Dr. Anna Wilkinson, a family physician and GP oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital, in partnership with Thrive Health, a leading care coordination digital platform in Canada.