Read our new Cancer Clinical Trials Action Plan
A new survey released by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in partnership with the Angus Reid Institute reveals that while Canadians are eager to participate in cancer clinical trials, they face significant barriers that prevent them from doing so.
Developed in response to this lack of access, in May 2024, CCS launched a series of sector forums to hold extensive consultations across the cancer community and beyond to address urgent issues regarding clinical trials in Canada. In total, CCS held forums with over 7 sectors, including:
- Clinical trial experts and federal health regulators
- People with lived and living experience
- Provincial cancer agencies
- Cancer research funders
- Healthcare organizations and hospitals
- Pharmaceutical industry representatives
- Clinical trial units (CTU).
Across all sectors, the message is clear: Canada must do more to ensure clinical trials are accessible, equitable, and embedded as part of care.
According to the same survey released by the Canadian Cancer Society in partnership with the Angus Reid Institute revealed that 1 in 4 people diagnosed with cancer say they know nothing about clinical trials, with over one third of those who know someone with cancer haven’t heard of them either.
This needs to change.
9 in 10 Canadians want improved access to cancer clinical trials and most also agree that the federal government needs to take action to expand access.
By reading and sharing this Action Plan, you are helping to position Canada as a leader in effective and equitable trials.
By 2035, every person in Canada—no matter where they live—will have timely and equitable access to cancer clinical trials through a nationally harmonized regulatory and administrative system. Patients in rural and remote communities will no longer face the burden of traveling long distances or navigating inconsistent provincial processes. Instead, interprovincial trial delivery will be the norm, bringing innovative treatments closer to home, reducing wait times, and minimizing duplication and delays.
This transformation will empower patients to participate in research that reflects their needs and realities, doubling the percentage of Canadians enrolled in cancer clinical trials compared to 2025 levels. It will accelerate discoveries that improve outcomes for all, while ensuring that trial participation is inclusive, accessible, and representative of Canada’s diverse population.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) role in this project is that of a convenor. We know that nothing big gets solved by one person or organization. We will continue to work with our partners, our supporters and most importantly, people affected by cancer to build a clinical trials system that is equitable and accessible for all people in Canada. Specifically, CCS will continue to convene the clinical trials community, and additional phases of implementation of the CTAP, including key performance indicators which will be developed in collaboration with community partners.
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