Halifax team looks to improve quality of life for long-term cancer patients

The Dalhousie University sign is pictured. (Source: Stephanie Tsicos/CTV News Atlantic)

A team of doctors and researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax is looking for ways to improve the quality of life for long-term cancer patients.

The team is spending the next year working on the initiative after receiving funds from a new patient-directed research program led by Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.

The program was created to address gaps in precision oncology identified by cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

"Due to advances in precision therapies, more and more people are living longer with advanced cancers. This is excellent progress. Unfortunately though, we have little information around how to best support and care for this growing population of Canadians," says Dr. Robin Urquhart, an associate professor in Dalhousie University's Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and one of the researchers selected for the project.

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The “Patient Voices in Research” program is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada to be fully designed by cancer patients for cancer patients.

The idea was conceived by the network’s Patient Working Group – a national advisory group made up of more than 30 cancer patients, survivors and caregivers that help steer the network’s effort to roll out precision oncology for patients across Canada.

"People who have lived a cancer diagnosis or have accompanied a close family on their cancer journey know better than anyone what cancer care looks like today and what needs to improve," says Darrell Fox, younger brother of Terry Fox and senior advisor at the Terry Fox Research Institute.

"Like Terry, these cancer patients and survivors are driven by their own experiences to improve outcomes for future patients."

The network selected 10 outstanding Canadian research teams as award recipients. Each team will receive $1.8 million over the next year to conduct research and report findings back to the patients.

“I am pleased to be a part of this announcement of the Patient Voices in Research grants. This program carries a significant funding envelope for research priorities that were defined by us, people with lived cancer experiences," says Yuan Lew, a lung cancer patient in Vaughan, Ont.

"As we continue to improve prognosis by utilizing precision medicine, we would like more research conducted that improves access and quality of life."

Until recently, researchers say most people diagnosed with an advanced cancer faced poor odds of long-term survival. However, improvements in precision oncology allow doctors to better match cancer treatments to a person’s unique disease.

"This research has the potential to directly impact patients’ lives and well-being as they live long-term with an uncertain prognosis," says Urquhart.

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