why participate in research?
“We all have our own stories, and I truly believe that my journey can help others. I want to share my story and help others during a difficult time.”
— Michelle, Research Participant
CancerCare Manitoba is home to many different types of health research – each essential to improving cancer care in Manitoba, in Canada, and the world.
Research involves analysis of data. Some types of research do not require human recruits to provide data for analysis. These types of research may analyze data obtained from previously published research findings, from laboratory experiments that do not involve human subjects, or obtained from large datasets of anonymized healthcare data collected as part of routine healthcare delivery.
However, some research can only be conducted if people volunteer to be sources of data and finding volunteers for these types of studies can be hard. Clinical trials research requires people to volunteer. Clinical trials research is where new treatments receive their final testing before becoming widely available. Volunteers for clinical trials are usually found through coordination with clinic teams – where a physician may identify an eligible patient for a study as part of their interaction in the clinic and then invite them to participate.
Non-clinical trials research that involve human participants generally does not focus on testing the benefit of new treatments. Instead, it focuses on the experience of living with cancer, and how different things impact that experience. This type of research often involves interviews, focus group studies, or survey research. Finding participants for these types of studies can be challenging as these studies often do not address questions directly related to the medical care of the patient and, as a result, clinicians can find it difficult to contribute to recruitment efforts.
Whether it is through clinical trials or non-clinical trial research, without people volunteering to participate in research, the research needed to improve the cancer experience in Manitoba cannot move forward.
What to Expect from Participating in Research:
If you are interested in participating in clinical trials research please discuss this with your cancer care team. Unfortunately, clinical trials are not always available to everyone experiencing cancer, as clinical trials usually focus on testing new treatments for a very specific clinical situation.
Non-clinical trial research may be just as specific in terms of the type of people being recruited, however this is not always the case and many studies aim to include people experiencing many different aspects of cancer.
Finding non-clinical trial research studies can be hard. However, The KEEP aims to make it easier for people living with cancer to participate in non-clinical trial research. Sign up to be notified about non-clinical trial research studies that you may be eligible for.
As part of a non-clinical trial research study you can expect:
- To have the study details, including the study objectives, time commitment, and risks/benefits explored with you through a conversation, and be outlined in a consent form.
- To be able to withdraw from the study if you are unable to participate for any reason.
- To be treated with respect and dignity, and be given contact information in case something is not going well.
- To contribute to improving the cancer journey.
While each research study is different, some of the common types of non-clinical trial research that might be available for you to participate in include: completing surveys, participating in interviews and focus groups, providing written feedback about an aspect of your experience.
Some of the topics that are often covered in this type of research include:
- Personal experience with a specific aspect of cancer treatment.
- Better understanding emotional and mental health throughout the cancer experience.
- Understanding the supportive care needs of family and friends.
Click to learn more about the experience of participating in non-clinical trials research:
“Research and the Cancer Journey: The Experience of Two Patients” (video)
“Participating in Health Services Cancer Research: The Experience of Five Cancer Thrivers” (written report)
How Can I Participate in Cancer Research?
Click the button below to sign up to be contacted about opportunities to participate in non-clinical trials research available through CancerCare Manitoba and the University of Manitoba.
Click the button below to explore current research opportunities that may be available to you through CancerCare Manitoba and the University of Manitoba.
This content was made possible through generous support from the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
The layout for this webpage was informed by the CancerMaps project for creating high-quality online content for those living with cancer.
