Transforming the future: Alberta’s cancer care strategy to 2036 sets a bold direction for the decade ahead. Under the lead of Cancer Care Alberta, the strategy will mobilize the full cancer system to better integrate care, improve treatment, accelerate innovation, and advance coordinated efforts to transform cancer care in Alberta.
Transforming cancer care over the next 10 years
To achieve this vision, the strategy is organized around 5 goals that encompass the full cancer care continuum:
Prevent
Prevent more cancers and accelerate access to diagnosis and care.
Deliver
Deliver seamless, state-of-the art cancer care for every Albertan.
Lead
Lead the next era of innovation in cancer research and treatment.
Build
Build a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable cancer system.
Attract
Attract, retain and train the best and brightest cancer workforce in Canada.
- Today, 1 in 2 Albertans will develop cancer in their lifetime.
- 1 in 5 will die from the disease.
- In 2026, the number of new cancer cases in Alberta will have increased by 98% compared to 2001.
- By 2040, total cancer cases are projected to grow by an additional 38%.
We launched a province-wide engagement process to gather feedback to help guide the strategic plan:
- over 70 engagement sessions with over 250 participants
- targeted sessions with patients, families and communities
- survey feedback from over 650 Albertans working across the cancer system
- workshops and discussions with cancer system leaders and experts
Cancer Care Alberta and Acute Care Alberta will lead the implementation of the strategy over the next 10 years across Alberta's health system, in partnership with health agencies, providers, researchers, and community organizations.
It builds on expanded screening programs and new investments in oncology services.
The future of cancer care
Alberta’s strategic plan will help shape a future where cancer care is more accessible, more connected, and more responsive, improving experiences and outcomes for patients and their families at every stage of their journey.
Key initiatives
- Expanding screening programs
- Improving diagnostic and referral pathways
- Strengthening supportive care
- Increasing access to clinical trials and advanced therapies
- Modernizing data and digital tools
- Supporting workforce growth across the cancer care system
News
- Strengthening cancer care for Albertans (April 22, 2026)
- Budget 2026: Investing in what matters (February 26, 2026)
- New health corporations start operations (September 2, 2025)
- Strengthening specialized health care in Alberta (June 2, 2025)
- Detect early, stop cancer (May 15, 2025)
- *CORRECTED: Improving access to life-saving cancer treatment (March 7, 2025)