Feeling a little overwhelmed with trying to sort out your cancer care?
What do you do when…
• Your doctor says that your only treatment option is chemo – even though you don’t want to go on it…
• Your doctor says that you don’t need (or can’t have) surgery – even though you think you need it…
• Your doctor says, “that treatment isn’t available in Canada” – so you’re left stuck wondering how to get it.
• You ask your doctor about genetic testing and they say they already did that and you don’t have any markers – so you’re left wondering what else you can do…
• You ask your doctor about getting a PET/CT and they respond by saying a CT scan is just as good – even though you've heard otherwise…
• You ask your doctor about a new treatment you heard about and your doctor says, “that’s not indicated for your cancer” – even though you read that it is...
• You’ve just finished your treatment course and your oncologist says you’re fine – but they haven’t done any testing to ensure the cancer is actually gone, so you’re left just hoping for the best…
I’m sure you will agree:
Navigating the world of cancer care is anything but simple.
Maybe you’ve experienced something similar to one – or more! – of these situations. These scenarios happen to cancer patients all the time. And they’re just a handful of examples of the issues that we hear from folks who call us up every day, asking what to do.
That's why we've created the first ever Precision Cancer Medicine Self-Advocacy Training Program...
CANCER: JUST THE FACTS
Best New Treatments and How to Get Them
Online Training Program
It's for people like you, so you know exactly what to do to get the treatment & care you need. Without the stress and confusion. And with the support and compassion you deserve.
Access the Program Now
CANCER: JUST THE FACTS
Best New Treatments and How to Get Them
Online Training Program
Get the answers you need, now!
Knowledge is power...
The most powerful tool you have in your fight against cancer is the newest & most accurate evidence-based information about what will really work for you – and what won’t.
You don’t have time to waste on treatments that aren’t going to benefit you.
And you shouldn’t have to accept unnecessary, long-term side-effects in order to give yourself the best shot at a long and cancer-free life.
With our 12+ years as Precision Cancer Medicine advocates and experts in the field of leading-edge cancer care, we have created an easy-to-understand program that covers the most important elements that you need to know in order to ensure you're getting the very best cancer care.
Weekly LIVE Coaching Calls with Cancer Experts
You'll get regular 1:1 guidance from our experts on your exact situation, so you can action on the information you learn in the course immediately.
What will you get from this program?
Our Precision Cancer Medicine team will guide you in how to fully understand your cancer...and the science behind the treatments you need now:
1. Short, easy-to-follow video lessons on the most important elements of cancer care, so you can watch and learn easily;
2. Written exercises and education about the most current cancer science and how to use it in your care, today;
3. Downloadable lesson PDF’s for each and every lesson, so you can share with friends, family and your oncologist;
4. Quizzes for you to test your knowledge and give you extra confidence in your understanding;
5. Downloadable forms so you can easily move forward with co-ordinating your own tests, and treatment access;
6. Weekly live Q&A sessions with our core team of experts, where you can get one-on-one guidance for your best next steps...In other words, you can have a live personal consult with Precision Cancer Medicine experts!
7. Peer-Support from our patients who have been there, sharing how they used their CTOAM training to get better care;
8. And more! We'll be updating our program resources to ensure you always have access to the very newest medical science, research, and information...
With this training, you'll be able to confidently & successfully advocate for yourself to get the right treatment, as soon as possible.
Get access to the information, support and resources you need to change your life, today!
"Since I have found you - CTOAM - I have felt such peace of mind. I was out there researching and researching and trying to understand my cancer and what treatments are best. I have a better understanding of my cancer and, with this education you are providing, I will know when and why and how to move forward."
- Teri K.
What will you learn?
Take a sneak peek at what you can expect to learn in the Precision Cancer Medicine Self-Advocacy Training Program...
Welcome
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
Get to Know Our Experts
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
Peer Support Team: Get to Know Kayleigh and Cassidy
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Self-Advocacy and Putting Yourself At the Center of Your Care (1:32)
- Stage IV Lymphoma to Remission (4:54)
- Kayleigh and Cassidy's Journey to a Diagnosis (1:40)
- The Importance of Self Advocacy Within Standard Care (2:43)
- How CTOAM Helped Kayleigh Begin Her Journey to Remission from Stage IV Cancer (7:03)
Peer Support Team: Get to Know Annette
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
Peer Support Team: Get to Know Korey
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 1: Cancer Basics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: Cancer Basics (1:03)
- What is Cancer?
- DNA (3:04)
- Stem Cells (1:46)
- What are Oncogenes? (1:41)
- What are Tumour Suppressor Genes? (0:39)
- DNA Mutations (6:42)
- Cancerous Cell Mutations
- What Makes a DNA Mutation Cancerous? (1:46)
- What is the Role of Stem Cells in Cancer? (4:00)
- What is the Role of an Oncogene in Cancer? (3:45)
- What is the Role of a Tumour Suppressor Gene in Cancer? (2:49)
- Survivor Stories: Exercise and Nutrition (1:47)
- Michelle's Support: How to Apply This Information to Your Care or That of a Loved One
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Cancer Basics
Additional Resources: Unit 1 Cancer Basics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 2: How Does Cancer Grow?
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: How Does Cancer Grow? (0:23)
- How Does Cancer Grow?
- Tumours
- Metastasis
- What is Metastasis? (1:10)
- Exosomes/Extra-Cellular Vesicles (2:59)
- Malignant Tumours
- Michelle's Support: How to Apply This Information to Your Care or That of a Loved One
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: How Does Cancer Grow?
Additional Resources: Unit 2 How Does Cancer Grow?
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 3: Types of Cancer
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: Types of Cancer (0:28)
- Michelle's Grounding and Critical Thinking
- Five Main Types of Cancer
- What Does Stage and Grade Mean?
- TNM Staging System
- Cancer Grade
- Pathology Reports
- Michelle's Support: How to Apply This Information to Your Care or That of a Loved One
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Types of Cancer
Additional Resources: Unit 3 Types of Cancer
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 4: Oncogenomics - The Right Drug, For the Right Patient, At The Right Time
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: Oncogenomics (1:02)
- What is Oncogenomics? (0:46)
- How are Oncogenomic Treatments Different from Standard Care? (1:42)
- How Do I Get the Best, Most Suitable Treatments? (1:25)
- What are Targeted Therapies? (2:06)
- How do Targeted Therapies Interact with Stem Cells and Why is this Important? (1:23)
- What is Immunotherapy? (3:06)
- How do Immunotherapies Interact with Stem Cells? (0:27)
- Survivor Stories: The Importance of Second Opinions (5 videos) (9:24)
- Survivor Stories: Advocating for Yourself (7 videos) (17:44)
- Survivor Stories: Now That You're Cancer Free, What's Your Advice? (1 video) (3:13)
- Survivor Stories: "I Wish I had Found Alex & Followed His Advice Earlier" (1 video) (2:09)
- Survivor Stories: Public Healthcare & Private Science-Based Options - Getting The Best Possible Treatment (3 videos) (14:39)
- Survivor's Stories: The Financial Side of Oncogenomics (1 video) (3:27)
- Michelle's Grounding and Critical Thinking
- Michelle's Support: How to Apply This Information to Your Care or That of a Loved One
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Oncogenomics
Additional Resources: Unit 4 Oncogenomics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 5: Standard Diagnostics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview of Standard Diagnostics
- Limitations of Standard Diagnostics (0:25)
- Ultrasound (0:30)
- X-Rays
- CT (or CAT) Scans
- MRI Scans (0:54)
- Endoscopy
- Biopsy
- Can Traditional Imaging "Miss" a Tumour? (0:30)
- What is the Difference Between Standard and Advanced Diagnostics? (0:47)
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Standard Diagnostics
Additional Resources: Unit 5 Standard Diagnostics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 6: Advanced Diagnostics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: What are Advanced Diagnostics? (0:43)
- Intro to Genetic Testing (2:15)
- Survivor Stories: Geneting Testing (6 videos) (13:44)
- Tumour DNA Sequencing
- RNA Expression Testing (0:51)
- How Does RNA Expression Testing Differ From DNA Sequencing? (1:27)
- When Would You Want RNA Expression Testing? (2:37)
- What is Inherited (Germline) Mutation Testing?
- When Is Inherited Mutation Testing Recommended? (3:48)
- Advanced Imaging Technologies
- What Are the Benefits of PET-CT Scans? (2:34)
- What Are the Limitations and Downsides of PET-CT Scans? (2:10)
- What's the Difference Between CT Scans and PET-CT Scans? (0:35)
- How PET-CT Scans Can Change the Course of Treatment (0:34)
- What Is the Difference Between a PET CT and a PET MRI? (1:15)
- Why Is It Important to Know If a Tumour Is Biologically Active? (1:00)
- Intro to Liquid Biopsies
- What are liquid biopsies? (3:21)
- When Are Liquid Biopsies Recommended? (0:27)
- What Else Can Liquid Biopsies Be Used For? (2:43)
- Liquid Biopsies and Pseudoprogression (2 videos) (8:40)
- What Works Best for Treatment Monitoring? (3:27)
- Survivor Stories: The Peace of Mind of Treatment Monitoring - Liquid Biopsies (2 videos) (5:40)
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Advanced Diagnostics
Additional Resources: Unit 6 Advanced Diagnostics
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 7: Standard Treatments
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: Standard Treatments (0:40)
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Are there different kinds of radiation? (0:45)
- What are the benefits and limitations of radiation? (0:38)
- Chemotherapy
- How does chemotherapy work? (1:41)
- Are there different types of chemotherapy? (0:15)
- What are the benefits and limitations of chemotherapy? (1:40)
- How do I know if my chemotherapy dose is right for me? (1:16)
- Angiogenesis and Treatment (2 videos) (1:40)
- Michelle's Support: How to Apply This Information to Your Care or That of a Loved One
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Standard Treatments
Additional Resources: Unit 7 Standard Treatments
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
UNIT 8: Advanced Treatments
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Unit Overview: Advanced Treatments (0:54)
- Targeted Therapies (1:00)
- How Do You Access Targeted Therapies? (0:52)
- What Are the Limitations of Targeted Therapies? (0:33)
- Immunotherapy (0:39)
- How Do Common Immune Therapies Work? (2:27)
- How Do I Know if Immune Therapy Will Work For Me? (4:56)
- What Happens to T-Cells in Immunotherapy? (0:35)
- What is CAR-T Therapy? (2:17)
- What are T-Cells? (0:46)
- What is Theranostics? (2 videos) (1:50)
- Michelle's Support: How to Apply This Information to Your Care or That of a Loved One
- QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge: Advanced Treatment
Additional Resources: Unit 8 Advanced Treatments
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
Office Hours Weekly Live Q&A Recordings
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- LINK TO ATTEND OFFICE HOURS LIVE Q&A
- April 24th, 2024 (72:47)
- April 10th, 2024 (62:50)
- April 3rd, 2024 (72:29)
- March 27th, 2024 (58:26)
- March 20th, 2024 (32:44)
- March 13th, 2024 (70:43)
- March 6th, 2024 (70:33)
- February 28th, 2024 (74:46)
- February 21st, 2024 (89:59)
- February 14th, 2024 (13:02)
- February 7th, 2024 (96:41)
- September 6, 2023 (52:39)
- August 30, 2023 (71:04)
- August 23, 2023 (87:31)
- August 16, 2023 (77:18)
- August 9, 2023 (72:06)
- December 2, 2022 (58:39)
- November 18, 2022 (83:30)
- November 4, 2022 (62:43)
- October 21, 2022 (77:03)
- October 14, 2022 (52:15)
- September 23, 2022 (42:55)
- September 16, 2022 (73:21)
- September 9, 2022 (75:52)
- September 2, 2022 (75:15)
- August 26, 2022 (91:13)
- August 5, 2022 (71:15)
- July 29, 2022 (63:41)
- July 15, 2022 (89:07)
- July 8, 2022 (36:50)
- June 24, 2022 (77:00)
- June 17, 2022 (51:51)
- June 10, 2022 (90:31)
- June 03, 2022 (64:41)
- May 27, 2022 (92:10)
- May 20, 2022 (33:47)
- May 13, 2022 (69:06)
- May 6, 2022 (76:56)
- April 29, 2022 (55:30)
- April 22, 2022 (93:15)
- April 8, 2022 (88:16)
- April 1, 2022 (68:58)
- March 25, 2022 (85:23)
- March 18, 2022 (87:00)
- March 11, 2022 (76:12)
- March 4, 2022 (93:17)
- February 25, 2022 (79:21)
- February 18, 2022 (67:07)
- February 11, 2022 (65:37)
- February 4, 2022 (86:56)
- January 28, 2022 (70:10)
- January 14, 2022 (69:41)
- September 20, 2023 (55:36)
Self-Advocacy Coaching Calls
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
Meet Your Team of Experts
Michelle, Alex, and Jeanette are honoured to support & empower you in your self-advocacy journey.
Michelle Morand
Program Creator & Cancer Treatment Advocacy Specialist
Michelle Morand (MA, RCC) is passionately driven to support people through their most challenging and stressful experiences by helping them develop critical thinking skills that support them to stay grounded, peaceful, and able to make confident informed choices. Michelle has over 25 years experience as a clinical counsellor supporting people through anxiety, depression, and trauma. Throughout her career she has focused on pioneering innovative approaches to make their healing both rapid and long lasting.
Michelle has over 12 years of direct experience guiding patients to the best care medical science can provide, and a 30-year career in program development and delivery in the field of mental health. She is highly skilled at helping to make challenging but important information accessible and actionable.
Alexander Rolland
Precision Oncology Expert
"The Cancer Guy"
Precision Oncology expert Alex Rolland is Chief Research Director and co-founder of Cancer Treatment Options and Management. Alex is passionate about ensuring that anyone who receives a cancer diagnosis has access to the most effective, and least invasive, form of treatment possible. He’s also used his expertise to consult oncologists at the Mayo Clinic and other leading cancer treatment centres.
Alex holds a BSc in Molecular/Cell Biology from the University of Victoria, and studied Medical Genetics at the renowned Terry Fox Laboratory in Vancouver (BC Cancer Agency). With 12+ years experience researching, consulting, and advocating for cancer patients, Alex also works directly with the medical system to explore the newest optimal treatments for his clients. He’s an expert in optimizing your cancer treatment, and making this a reality for you.
Jeanette Sheehy
Researcher & Educator; Content Development
Jeanette's aim with this course is to convey rigorous, peer-reviewed, scientific research to those who need it most, in an accessible, supportive, and compassionate format. She brings compassion, determination, and personal experience to this project.
With her creative and insightful mind she has synthesised complex medical and scientific information into a comprehensive course that moves you through bite-sized, easy to follow information, and leaves you with the ability to understand and navigate your medical care.
Our promise to you:
As a CTOAM Self-Advocacy Student, you will get the knowledge and support you need to feel confident that you are doing everything that can be done to beat cancer and get your life back.
Knowledge truly is power...
Get empowered today!
When you know - without a doubt - what is both causing & driving your cancer, and the most current treatment options that will give you the best possible outcome, you have the power to choose your cancer treatment options...
And you have the power to give yourself the best chance at living the longest, healthiest life possible.
With this course, you will have access to the most current information about your type of cancer and the most important cancer diagnostics and treatments for you.
You will receive numerous educational PDFs, resource links, downloadable forms, and educational 'how-to' videos to ensure you know exactly what to do to get the best care now.
If you want to speak to a CTOAM Cancer Care Coordinator, or one of our Precision Oncology Experts, at any point in your learning experience, we will be there to ensure you have the support you need to take the steps you need to take.
Access the Program Now
CANCER: JUST THE FACTS
Best New Treatments and How to Get Them
Online Training Program
What people are saying...
See what other folks are sharing about their experience with CTOAM's education & advocacy program.
"CTOAM’s webinar brought me up-to-date on recent research and treatment options and allowed me to make an informed choice about my own treatment going forward."
- John U.
“You have done a great job of spreading this information. I would absolutely recommend this to other cancer patients! It was enlightening."
- Elena
“Very well-articulated, interesting and informative. Great information to know regarding the limitations with BC health and when they would potentially do genetic testing. None of the doctors I have spoken with are interested in going down that road. Knowing what is available out there is key. Knowledge is Power!”
- Michael B.