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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

Welcome to Patient Representative Lindsay Clarke

Welcome to Patient Representative Lindsay Clarke

CCTG is thrilled to welcome Lindsay Clarke, who will be supporting the Genitourinary Disease Site Committee as a Patient Representative. 

Lindsay Clarke is a registered nurse and mother who lives in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. She has a passion for caring for others and she has been volunteering with Prostate Cancer Canada (Cancer Canada) for the last 14 years. Prostate cancer is common amongst the men in Lindsay’s family, she tragically lost her father to prostate cancer in 2010, he was only 58 years old.

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Welcome to Patient Representative Deb Clark - Gynecologic Disease site committee

Welcome to Patient Representative Deb Clark

The CCTG Patient Representative Committee is pleased to welcome Deb Clark who will support the Gynecologic Disease site committee. Deb lives in Regina and her journey began when her mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, now a 26-year cancer survivor. Deb supported her mom as her caregiver through three additional, primary cancers and was her husband’s caregiver when he had oral cancer. 

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MAC29 A new breast cancer clinical trial looks at a de-escalated treatment option

A new breast cancer clinical trial looks at a de-escalated treatment option for patients with early stage triple negative breast cancer.

CCTG MAC29 is investigating whether treatment with immunotherapy versus observation in people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who had a good response after initial treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy is really necessary.

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Welcome to Patient Representative Michelle Audoin

Welcome to Patient Representative Michelle Audoin

Please join the Patient Representative Committee in welcoming Michelle Audoin who will be supporting the Breast Disease Site committee.

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