TORONTO, ON –
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is taking bold action to transform cancer care in Canada. Today, CCS unveiled the Clinical Trials Action Plan (CTAP) — a national roadmap to improve how cancer clinical trials are supported and ensure timely, equitable access to trials for more Canadians. The launch comes after a recent Angus Reid Institute survey, in partnership with CCS, revealed 90% of Canadians support expanding access to clinical trials.
Developed with input from researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, people with lived and living experience of cancer, and more, the plan sets an ambitious goal: double the percentage of Canadians enrolled in cancer clinical trials by 2035. To move the country in this direction, it details the challenges facing our trials system and shares clear, actionable solutions to address them.
“Canada’s clinical trial system is under pressure,” says Dr Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President of Mission, Research and Advocacy at CCS. “Staffing shortages, slow approval processes and outdated infrastructure are creating delays, leaving patients behind and deepening inequities. This plan is a collective call to action to address these challenges so that anyone facing cancer in Canada, regardless of where they live, can benefit from life-saving research.”
The 7 priority areas identified in the plan aim to build a more coordinated, sustainable and inclusive national cancer clinical trials ecosystem:
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Make trials accessible to everyone – Ensure all Canadians, regardless of location or income, have equitable and timely access to cancer clinical trials as an integrated part of care.
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Streamline regulatory and administrative processes – Establish a pan-Canadian ethics review system and standardize trial processes to eliminate delays and inefficiencies.
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Enhance public awareness of trials – Launch national campaigns and improve online tools to increase understanding and participation in cancer clinical trials.
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Improve health workforce challenges – Strengthen workforce planning, training, and retention to ensure sufficient, well-trained staff for cancer clinical trials across Canada.
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Transform trials through integrated data collection and coordination – Standardize and improve data collection and electronic medical record systems to support efficient, representative and high-quality clinical trials.
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Improve Canada’s position as a global centre of excellence – Promote Canada’s strengths, streamline drug approval and offer incentives to attract more clinical trials and global partnerships.
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Establish robust and sustainable funding – Secure stable, long-term government funding to support infrastructure, staffing and essential services for cancer clinical trials nationwide.
Clinical trials are often the best—and sometimes only—option for people with cancer to access new potential treatments with careful medical oversight. Judy Needham, a BC resident living with cancer, played a significant role in shaping the Action Plan by sharing her personal experience and co-chairing a Patient and Caregiver workshop. Having navigated the challenges of Canada’s clinical trials system firsthand, she embraced the opportunity to ensure patient voices were heard and said the plan gives her hope.
"I’ve spent the past decade working alongside researchers as a patient partner in clinical trials, and I’ve seen firsthand how they can change lives. Other patients tell me the same thing: clinical trials aren’t a luxury – they’re a lifeline,” says Judy. “That’s why this Action Plan matters. It’s about building a fair, coordinated system that ensures every Canadian can get timely access to innovative treatments through clinical trials.”
The Clinical Trials Action Plan will be shared with research, community and patient stakeholders across the country to help support and align efforts to drive change to Canada’s cancer clinical trials system. As a national convenor for the plan, CCS will continue to galvanize experts and collaborators to evolve recommendations, develop key performance indicators and monitor progress toward the goal of doubling trial enrollment by 2035.
“Today’s launch marks a pivotal step toward increasing access to and enrollment in trials, but we know our work is just beginning,” says Dr Edmonds. “To truly improve our clinical trials system for all Canadians, it will take sustained and coordinated efforts – it will take all of us working together. It will take a society.”
To learn more and read the full plan, visit cancer.ca.
Quotes
“We have an extraordinary opportunity to rebuild and re-energize Canada’s clinical trials system. The Action Plan provides the strategic focus and call to arms for all stakeholders needed to reverse decline, strengthen capacity and secure better outcomes for patients today and tomorrow.” - Dr Janet Dancey, Chair, Canadian Cancer Trials Group
“Clinical trials represent hope and progress for people facing cancer. Implementing the Clinical Trials Action Plan will make access to trials easier and more equitable, ensuring that that every patient has the opportunity to benefit from the latest advances in cancer research.” - Dr Rebecca Auer, Senior Scientist, Cancer Research Program and CEO and Scientific Director, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Surgical Oncologist and Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation, The Ottawa Hospital
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We raise funds to fuel the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. Together with patients, supporters, donors and volunteers, we work to create a healthier future for everyone. Because to take on cancer, it takes all of us. It takes a society.
Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
For more information, please contact:
Adrian Bascar
Communications Specialist
778-723-0689
adrian.bascar@cancer.ca