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Patients as Research Partners

Integrated patient engagement model

CCTG uses an integrated patient engagement model that includes the patient voice in all aspects of cancer clinical trial development. A Patient Representative is not only involved in answering the scientific questions that clinical trials ask, they play an essential role on CCTG’s national disease site committee as participating members who contribute to the development and delivery of the cancer research questions. Patient Representatives ensure that patient centred outcomes included in CCTG cancer clinical trials.

A Current Oncology publication outlining the incorporation of patient engagement in the development of clinical trial at CCTG: Integrating Patient Centred Research in the Canadian Cancer Trials Group

Patient-oriented research refers to research that engages patients as partners, focuses on patient-identified priorities and improves patient outcomes. This research, conducted by multidisciplinary teams in partnership with stakeholders, aims to apply the knowledge generated to improve health care systems and practices. – msfhr.org - Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

Patient engagement in clinical trail research is two-fold:

  1. Trial Participant – the human participant in the trial
  2. Patient Representative – developing and delivering the research question, ensuring: patient feasibility, outcomes that matter to patients

There are several touch points where a Patient Representative provides input as members of Scientific, Oversight and Support Committees. They are actively involved at key junctures of the CCTG Clinical Trial life cycle: Development, Review/Approval, Protocol and Consent Development, Accrual and Data Collection and at the time of Permanent Closure.

lay representative committee

New reassuring results for patients with breast cancer wanting to have a baby

New reassuring results for patients with breast cancer wanting to have a baby

Pausing endocrine treatment to attempt pregnancy can be considered - no additional risk of recurrences after 5 years. The MAC18 (POSITIVE) study, evaluating the pregnancy outcomes and safety of interrupting endocrine therapy for young women with endocrine responsive breast cancer who desire pregnancy long-term analysis was presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Berlin, Germany.

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CCTG SR.8 HARMONY sarcoma trial awarded CIHR funding

CCTG SR8 HARMONY sarcoma trial awarded CIHR funding

The CCTG SR.8 (HARMONY) clinical trial has been awarded almost 1.5 million through the CIHR spring Project Grant Program. A phase III study that addresses a significant unmet need in the treatment of high-risk soft-tissue sarcoma (STS).

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Patient Representative: Lesley Beaton

Welcome to patient representative Lesley Beaton

We are pleased to welcome Lesley Beaton as the new patient representative supporting the Gastrointestinal Disease Site Committee.

Lesley lives in Vancouver, BC, and brings both scientific and personal experience to her role. She spent more than three decades working in microbiology and regulatory compliance with Health Canada, gaining a scientific perspective on healthcare systems. 

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Patient Representative: Catherine Caule

Welcome to patient representative Catherine Caule

Please join us in welcoming Catherine Caule, who is the new patient representative supporting the Hematology Disease Site Committee.

Catherine is a long-time health advocate based in Ottawa, Ontario, and a 25-year member of the Lymphoma Support Group of Ottawa. After being diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma and participating in a clinical trial for relapsed disease, she became a passionate voice for patient-centered care and equitable access.

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