Established in 1994, Current Oncology is a Canadian based and Internationally distributed journal. Published bi-monthly plus special supplemental issues, Current Oncology represents a multidisciplinary medium encompassing health care workers in the field of cancer therapy to report upon and to review progress in the management of this disease. Current Oncology is published by Multimed Inc.

Current Oncology is indexed in PubMed, Embase (Excerpta Medica Database), Scopus, Journal Selector, Crossref, Index Copernicus, DOAJ, Google Scholar, Emcare, INASP, Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch), and Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition. It is also available in the databases of 100 libraries worldwide, and is a participant of the HINARI program.

Announcements

About the Cover: “The Challenge”; Photography by a Health Care Professional.

As a doctor who has cared for people with cancer for 35 years, this photograph represents to me the challenge of beginning and ending a personal journey involving each patient and loved ones and myself. At the outset I must provide the key of knowledge and compassion to guide the patient in making a choice of how they will deal with their cancer – and the patient will bring their life’s experience, beliefs and personal circumstances as a key to the second lock. Then, together we can finalize a plan with its ultimate goals, potential pitfalls, and prepare to open those locks. Before we turn those keys together, I must be optimistic, but truthful, in dispelling fears and anxieties so that my patient can turn the key and start on the path to that goal, reassured that they have the personal and material strength to take on this challenge. Along the way, together we will share our strengths and shore up each other’s weaknesses; encouraging the completion of our journey to its ultimate goal. At the end, we can reflect on the courage and strength and beauty of the human spirit that allowed completion of that journey. Then we can turn the key and close the door on this monumental episode in our life together. As a cancer doctor, it has been a huge intellectual and personal challenge, but a great privilege and most enriching experience to have been able to take this journey with so many wonderful people.

The photograph on the cover of this issue is entitled “The Challenge” and was the Best Photograph by a Health Care Professional in the 2008 Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition.

Oncology On Canvas was created by Eli Lilly and Company as a way to honour the journeys people take when confronted with a cancer diagnosis. The program invited people diagnosed with any type of cancer, their families and friends, cancer advocates, healthcare providers, as well as artists and art students to express, through art and in narrative, their own cancer journeys.

All winners were awarded a monetary donation to the cancer charity of their choice.

The rich and enduring collection of art is travelling the world and continues to touch the hearts and minds of people everywhere.

Current Oncology is committed to the Canadian oncology community as well as oncology communities around the world. We are pleased to help raise awareness of this great program created by Lilly. Current Oncology will be selecting a new artwork for each cover from previous and upcoming competitions.