Cancer System Quality Index

The Cancer System Quality Index (CSQI) tracks progress toward better outcomes in cancer care and provides a comprehensive view of Ontario’s cancer system performance.

The 2024 report focuses on key indicators on melanoma (a type of skin cancer).

Report Highlights

Several areas of strength, or "Bright Spots," exist in melanoma care, including high survival rates, fewer hospital visits after surgery, and improved end-of-life care, suggesting that Ontario has made progress in managing this type of skin cancer.

Challenges, or areas with "Room for Improvement," such as ensuring timely access to treatments and follow-up appointments, particularly in rural and remote areas, need to be addressed to provide equitable care for all individuals affected by melanoma.

Limitations can be found in the data across various areas, including missing or outdated information on preventive measures like sun protection behaviors and UV exposure, gaps in detailed pathology reporting, and the lack of recent data for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) populations. Addressing these limitations is important for fully understanding and meeting the healthcare needs of diverse population group

The methodology and data tables for the indicators can be found in the technical supplement. The data for this report spans the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario for some indicators and includes discussion on its potential impacts.