A new Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) survey study, SC32S, has opened across Canada to collect sociodemographic data from cancer clinical trial participants and assess whether asking questions about this information feels appropriate to patients. The patient survey will ask CCTG trial participants about different parts of everyday life that can affect patient health and experience with cancer care.
Co‑chaired by two BC Cancer clinical scientists – Dr. Leah Lambert, nursing research theme lead at the BC Cancer Research Institute and Dr. Michael McKenzie, radiation oncologist and (interim) medical director, Quality, and Chair of CCTG’s Supportive Care Committee – the survey study aims to address a longstanding gap in Canadian cancer research.
Sociodemographic data (information about people’s social circumstances and everyday lives) is not routinely collected in clinical trials. Without this data, it is difficult to understand who participates in trials, who may be underrepresented and whether clinical research reflects the diversity of the communities it aims to serve.
“SC32S will help us understand whether collecting this information feels appropriate and acceptable to patients, and whether our trials reflect the populations we serve,” says Dr. Lambert.
The survey asks trial participants about factors that can influence health outcomes and health care experiences, while also asking whether participants feel comfortable answering these types of questions. The findings will help inform more equitable trial design and participation in the future.
Currently active through CCTG, participation is expected at several BC Cancer centres including Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria. Implementation planning at BC Cancer is being generously supported by the Breast Clinical Research Business Unit at BC Cancer – Vancouver.
“SC32S is a foundational study to advance our understanding of gaps in representation and barriers to participation in clinical trials in Canada,” says Dr. Zahi Mitri, medical oncologist at BC Cancer – Vancouver. “Given the diversity of the populations served across BC Cancer regional centers, and similarly across health authorities in Canada, the resulting data will empower the design and implementation of patient-centric trials that in a more accessible and equitable manner.”
By helping researchers better understand who is – and is not – participating in cancer clinical trials, SC32S will lay the groundwork for more inclusive research and inform future efforts to improve cancer care for patients and families across Canada.
“This initiative will help paint a more holistic picture of how cancer impacts lives, beyond the clinical aspects,” says Hilary Horlock, CCTG patient representative. “It will fill a vital gap in knowledge so health systems can plan better, more equitable clinical trials and subsequent care delivery.”
This article has been adapted from a Canadian Cancer Trials Group article: New SC32S survey study opens across Canada