Patient Services

Because cancer takes a toll on the person diagnosed—as well as family and friends—the Association offers support and service programs to try to lessen the impact. These programs cover a wide range of needs—from connecting patients with survivors to providing a place to stay when treatment facilities are far from home.

Education

Knowing the facts about cancer can save lives. What you eat and drink, how you live, where you work . . . all these factors can affect your risk for cancer. Primary cancer prevention means taking the necessary precautions to prevent the occurrence of cancer. Prevention programs are designed to help adults and children make healthy lifestyle choices that continue throughout life.

BCA offers programs to help educate the public about cancer risks, early detection methods, and prevention. Educational efforts include (i) tobacco control, (ii) relationship between diet and physical activity and cancer, (iii) sun safety and (iv) comprehensive school health education. In addition to cancer prevention, the Association focuses on a variety of early detection programs and encourages regular medical checkups and recommended cancer screenings. Finding cancer in the earliest stage possible gives the patient the greatest chance of survival. For this reason, BCA seeks to provide the public and health care professionals with the latest cancer resources to help them make informed decisions.

Advocacy

Cancer is a political issue. Many of the most important cancer decisions are made not just in the doctor’s office, but in Parliament. Government officials make decisions everyday about health issues that affect our lives. The Bulgarian Cancer Association’s advocacy efforts work in concert with its education, and service initiatives to strengthen our laws, regulations, and programs in a way that will (i) help more people benefit from advances in prevention, early detection, and treatment, (ii) make it easier for patients to navigate the health care system and (iii) improve the quality of life of cancer patients, survivors, and their families. BCA advocacy initiatives rely on the combined efforts of a community-based, grassroots network of cancer survivors and caregivers, BCA volunteers and staff, health care professionals, public health organizations, and other collaborative partners.