$10.1M funding for cancer research

Winnipeg, MB – The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in partnership with CancerCare Manitoba and Cancer Care Nova Scotia, are providing $10.1 million in funding over the next five years to seven cancer research teams.

“Evidence, based on solid scientific research, is key to informed health decision making. The seven teams being funded today will provide exactly the kinds of evidence that cancer patients, policy makers and family doctors need to improve the quality of cancer care across Canada” said Dr Alan Bernstein, president of the CIHR.

The funded research projects include:

Richard Doll (BC Cancer Agency) CIHR Team in Supportive Cancer Care. The team will research how cancer patients can receive greater and more equitable access to supportive care services that address the needs of the patients including physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient.

Brenda Elias (University of Manitoba) CIHR/CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) Team in First Nations Cancer Research. The team will inform the development of a national surveillance system to gather cancer data for defined groups such as First Nations people to inform the future development of a First Nation specific cancer control strategy.

Eva Grunfeld (Dalhousie University / Cancer Care Nova Scotia)) CIHR/CCNS Team in Access to Colorectal Cancer Services in Nova Scotia. The team will develop tools to measure and improve access to quality cancer treatment and care along the cancer continuum, including diagnosis, surgery, treatment, follow-up and palliative care.

Alan Katz (University of Manitoba) CIHR/CCMB Team in Primary Care Oncology Research. The team will identify factors that will support primary care physicians in improving the quality of care in patients with colorectal cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in Canada.

William MacKillop (Queen’s University) CIHR Team in Access to Quality Radiotherapy. The team aims to improve cancer outcomes in Canada by developing, disseminating and evaluating quality standards for radiotherapy programs. The application of these guidelines may improve cancer outcomes.

Devidas Menon (University of Alberta) CIHR Team in Cancer Technology Decision Making. The team will develop new tools to make the decision making process associated with investments to new technologies for cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment more accountable, equitable, efficient and effective.

Scott Tyldesley (BC Cancer Agency) CIHR Team in Operations Research for Improved Cancer Care. The team, a collaboration between the BC Cancer Agency and the Sauder School of Business at UBC, will use operations research methods to improve access to radiation therapy and other aspects of cancer care.