A local research team is helping more Canadians with cancer access clinical trials thanks to a new national grant.
Since Dr. Caroline Hamm launched the Clinical Trials Navigator, 302 patients have accessed the program, of those 24 per cent were referred to a clinical trial and eight per cent were enrolled.
Typically, only seven per cent of patients are enrolled in a clinical trial, and even fewer enrol in smaller cancer centres.
“Clinical trials represent hope for many cancer patients, offering access to promising new treatments and a chance to impact the future of cancer care,” said Hamm.
The project has now been awarded a $198,000 grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research. This will allow the navigator program to expand to Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.
“I am grateful for the incredible support we have received for this project, and over the moon about being funded by a national program, and for a national initiative,” said Hamm. “People see the value in what we’re doing here in Windsor. It’s very exciting to be able to bring this to so many patients.”
Over the past years, the project has received grants from WE-SPARK Health Institute, the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund, TD Bank, the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation and the WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
Patients and families interested in accessing clinical trials can access the program here.
