Bowel Cancer Optimal Care Pathways and Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

20 June, 2017

To help provide good quality care and reduce unwanted variations in care, Eastern Melbourne PHN is working with key stakeholders to raise awareness of the Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for colorectal cancer in primary health.

OCPs are national guides developed with all key stakeholders that describe the best possible cancer care for patients with specific types of cancer. The pathways describe the expected optimal care at each stage in a patient’s cancer journey from prevention and screening through diagnosis and treatment to survivorship or end-of-life care.

How would a GP use the optimal care pathway?

The Optimal Cancer Care Pathway quick reference guides help GPs when talking to patients about their cancer treatment pathway and what to expect at each stage.

The ‘What to expect’ guides are designed to be printed out and given to patients, families or carers. Treatment is often complex and usually involves many different health professionals and services. The guides help those affected by cancer to understand the usual steps of the cancer care pathway and get the best possible care.  

For further information on Optimal Cancer Care Pathways visit the Cancer Council Victoria website.

For more information on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and reporting to the program register call: 1800 118 868 or visit the Cancer Screening website.