The Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Clinical Research Organization have collaborated to launch a new website that provides up-to-date cancer clinical trial information. The Director of Research Programs, Impact and Outreach at the Canadian Cancer Society, Dr. Morgane Morabito, said the site is a tool to help patients and health-care providers. “The website is helping through different levels,” said Morabito. “The problem we have right now is that it can be challenging sometimes to find information around clinical trials… and it can be out of date or fragmented.” Morabito said the platform helps users find the information they need. “There’s great search tool functionality,” she said. Keyword searches will reveal information about clinical trials, said Morabito, including the type of cancer researchers are studying, where trials are taking place and age criteria. She said there is also a lot of information to empower patients during their conversations with health-care providers so they can make informed decisions. Morabito said it’s also important to have conversations to determine if clinical trials are right for the patient. “It’s not for everyone,” Morabito said. “It comes with risks and benefits and that’s why the platform is so fantastic because it also provides patient friendly resources so that people can learn about clinical trials.” The website and accompanying hotline are available in English and French and should help improve access for patients, said Morabito. The website has been designed and third-party tested to meet standards of accessibility, she said. “It can be a great way to get some support.”
