A New Horizon - Expanding the Access and Impact of Psychosocial Oncology - 41st Annual CAPO Conference

Sep 22, 2026

Conference report on the 41st Annual Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) conference, “A New Horizon: Expanding the Access and Impact of Psychosocial Oncology” held 8–9 June 2026 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Focuses on expanding access to psychosocial cancer care despite geographic, resource, cultural, and system barriers. Summarizes program elements and more than 150 abstracts spanning digital health tools, community-based support, equity, integrated models, and person-centered interventions for all ages.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages112

Reading Time4 h 42 min

AccessFree to download

1. Abstract Themes

A. Adapting PSO care in LMI countries

B. Cancer care across the life span (children, adolescent and young adults, adults, and older adults)

C. Community-based and volunteer cancer care services

D. Complementary and integrative cancer care

E. Exercise/pre-habilitation and rehabilitation in cancer

F. Equity, diversity and inclusion (sociodemographic, culture, and sex/gender issues)

G. Healthcare provider wellness

H. High tech to high touch (digital health, value-based care, integrated PSO interventions)

I. Implementation science, knowledge translation and synthesis

J. Palliative and end-of-life care

K. Pandemics and cancer care issues

L. Patient-oriented research approaches

M. Primary, secondary and tertiary cancer prevention

N. Novel interventions and clinical trials in PSO

O. Survivorship

P. Other

2. Symposia

2.1. S1—From Evidence to Implementation: CALM and Adaptations Across the Cancer Continuum

Conference Report A New Horizon: Expanding the Access and Impact of Psychosocial Oncology—8–9 June 2026, 41st Annual CAPO Conference Peter Traversa and Sheila Garland * Received: 28 June 2026 Accepted: 13 July 2026 Published: 23 July 2026 Copyright: © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, 189 Queen St E., Suite 1, Toronto, ON M5A 1S2, Canada * Correspondence: [sheila.garland@mun.ca](sheila.garland@mun.ca) Simple Summary Psychosocial oncology addresses the emotional, social, and practical needs of people living with cancer, alongside their medical treatment. Despite growing evidence that this kind of support improves quality of life, many patients still cannot access it because of where they live, limited health system resources, cultural barriers, or gaps in care delivery. The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology held its 41st Annual Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, in June 2026, bringing together clinicians, researchers, patients, and caregivers from many health professions. Over 150 abstracts were presented, covering topics such as digital health tools, community-based care, equity, and support across all ages, from children to older adults. This report summarizes the conference program and the abstracts shared. Together, this work points to practical, scalable ways to expand access to psychosocial cancer care and can help guide future research, inform health policy, and support programs that reach more patients and families, including those in remote or under-resourced communities. Abstract On behalf of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, we are pleased to present the abstracts from the 2026 Annual Conference, titled “A New Horizon: Expanding the Access and Impact of Psychosocial Oncology”. The 41st Annual CAPO Conference was held in St. John’s, Newfoundland from 8 June 2026 to 9 June 2026 . As we stand at a new horizon in psychosocial oncology, we recognize the unprecedented opportunities to expand both the access to and the impact of comprehensive cancer care. This conference will explore innovative strategies for breaking down traditional barriers that have historically limited access to psychosocial support, including geographic isolation, resource constraints, cultural disparities, and systemic inequities in healthcare delivery. This expansion of reach and influence represents not merely growth in service numbers, but a fundamental transformation in how we conceptualize, design, and implement patient-centered psychosocial care across diverse communities and care settings. We will explore scalable solutions that amplify impact while maintaining the deeply personal, human-centered approach that defines excellence in psychosocial oncology. From telehealth innovations and peer support networks to community-based interventions and integrated care models, this conference will showcase evidence-based strategies that expand our collective ability to support individuals and families navigating the cancer journey, wherever they may be. This conference brought together key stakeholders including multidisciplinary professionals from nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work, spiritual care, nutrition, medicine, rehabilitation medicine, occupational health and radiation therapy for both adult and pediatric populations. Participants included clinicians, researchers, educators in cancer care, community-based organizations and patient representatives. Patients, caregivers and family members presented abstracts that speak to their role in managing cancer experiences and care. Over one-hundred and fifty (150) abstracts were submitted for presentation as symposia, 20 min oral presentations, 10 min oral presentations, 90 min workshops and poster presentations. We congrat

FAQs

What is the main focus of the 41st CAPO conference report?

The report centers on the conference goal of expanding access to and impact of psychosocial oncology, summarizing the program and shared abstracts and highlighting practical strategies to reduce longstanding barriers.

Why do many patients still face barriers to psychosocial oncology support?

Barriers include geographic isolation, limited health system resources, cultural barriers, and gaps in care delivery that limit access even when evidence supports improved quality of life.

What kinds of topics and evidence are represented in the conference abstracts?

Over 150 abstracts cover areas such as digital health tools, community-based and volunteer services, equity and inclusion, integrated care models, exercise and rehabilitation, palliative and end-of-life care, and patient-oriented research approaches.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by mieayamfan