CAPCA originated in the early 1980s as a grassroots collaboration among the western provincial cancer agencies and programs, with the goal of exchanging knowledge and addressing areas of common interest. Throughout the 1980s, this collaborative network expanded to include other provinces, and by the end of the decade, all Canadian provinces were involved.
As CAPCA entered the 1990s, the organization began to adopt a more structured and strategic approach to its work, focusing on areas such as information and data sharing, education, policy development, and collaboration with national partners. A milestone in CAPCA’s history occurred in 1999, when the organization was formally incorporated and appointed its first CEO, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its growth and impact.
CAPCA’s work with partner organizations has influenced cancer control policies and supported cancer research. Its accomplishments include:
- Collaborating with national and provincial partners to support the implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, stewarded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
- Highlighting the need for cancer control research. CAPCA’s efforts, along with other agencies, led to the creation of the Institute for Cancer Research at the Canadian Institute for Health Research.
- Encouraging pan-Canadian discussions to improve patient care in cancer treatment centers.
- Recognizing the need for a Canadian Tumour Repository to help researchers access tissue samples for their studies and increase the rate of discovery.
A history of impact
Since CAPCA’s creation in the early 1980s we have influenced cancer control policies and supported cancer research. Learn more about our accomplishments:
