Patient Cancer Research Priorities

In April 2024, at the CCTG Spring Meeting of Participants, the CCTG Patient Representative Committee members participated in a facilitated session designed to identify the research topics that Committee members view as being most important to cancer patients and caregivers. The outcome of the workshop resulted in the identification by the CCTG reps of six Cancer Research Priorities.

"CCTG, a leader in patient engagement in cancer research in Canada, recognizes that the voices of those who have lived the cancer experience are invaluable; their insights and priorities are a compass that can help guide cancer research toward what truly matters — meaningful progress for patients and their families,” says Judy Needham, CCTG Patient Representative Committee Chair. 

A smaller group of Patient Representatives were tasked with collecting and synthesizing the collected workshop feedback. Potential research priorities were grouped into research themes and scores were totaled. The final list of top six priorities was based on the research themes that received the highest total scores from participants.

Judy concludes, “This report created by members of the CCTG Patient Representative Committee emphasizes the importance of patient perspectives in shaping research that is relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs of those directly affected by cancer. It also serves as a patient-centred confirmation of CCTG’s research priorities and activities."

For the full report >

The Patient Representative CANCER RESEARCH PRIORITIES

The six identified Cancer Research Priorities are disease site agnostic and are intended to encompass all cancers, including those considered “rare”.

1. Innovative treatments

2. Biomarkers

3. Use of Technology

4. Psychological Holistic Oncology

5. Early Detection

6. Treatment Optimization