St. Michael’s Hospital scientist awarded $200,000 to improve access to cancer genetic services for racialized minorities
A research team led by Canada Research Chair and St. Michael’s Hospital Scientist Dr. Yvonne Bombard has received $200,000 in funding to design interventions to improve access to cancer genetic screening services for racialized groups in Canada. Notably, these interventions will be designed in partnership with cancer patients and racialized community members.
The funding was awarded by the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network as part of its Patient Voices in Research Initiative. The Patient Voices program addresses current gaps in precision oncology that have been identified by those most impacted by cancer: patients, survivors and caregivers. The funding program is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada to be fully designed and adjudicated by cancer patients for cancer patients.
“Funding patient-centric research is critical because it allows us to directly address the needs of those affected by cancer,” said Bombard. “Cancer patients, and racialized community members are at the core of this research project as part of the Equity Advisory Board and will help guide the creation of the interventions. This unique funding opportunity highlights the value that patient partners bring to conducting research that is driven by the very community we aim to serve.”
Darrell Fox, the younger brother of Terry Fox and senior advisor at the Terry Fox Research Institute, said prioritizing the experiences of cancer patients and family members is a core part of Terry’s legacy.
“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,” he said. “Like Terry, these cancer patients and survivors are driven by their own experiences to improve outcomes for future patients. In many ways, this program is a continuation of the ‘pay it forward’ drive that fueled Terry’s Marathon of Hope.”
The Patient Voices in Research program awarded $1.8 million in funding to 10 different research projects that address a range of issues in cancer care, including gaps in access to groundbreaking cancer treatments, lifestyle interventions to improve patient survival and quality of life, and understanding the psychological impact of surviving with aggressive cancers. The research teams behind these impactful projects will report their findings back to patient groups after one year.
Lung cancer patient Yuan Lew said it was an honour to be a part of the working group behind the Patient Voices in Research program. “This first-of-its-kind program in Canada carries a significant funding envelope for research priorities that were defined by us, people with lived cancer experiences,” she said.
“As we continue to improve prognosis by utilizing precision medicine, we would like more research that improves access and quality of life.”
Understanding how racialized groups are underserved in cancer care
Bombard’s project will focus on understanding why there are large gaps in genetic screening services for racialized minorities. Racialized minorities in Canada are less likely to be referred for genetic testing and often receive unclear results due to a lack of ancestral diversity in genetic databases, said Bombard.
“This lack of information leads to large disparities in medical care for minority groups, ultimately resulting in worse health outcomes,” she said. “This project is essential to co-creating guidelines and interventions that address the needs of racialized individuals that are affected by cancer.”
The team will conduct workshops with healthcare providers and racialized communities about their experiences with genetic services, with the aim of designing interventions to improve access to these services. By working in partnership with these groups, the interventions will be inclusive, practical and equitable, Bombard said.
“Equitable access is especially important as we enter the era of precision medicine to ensure that our most vulnerable populations are not left behind,” she said.
By: Marlene Leung
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