HRD testing is an effective biomarker test for the treatment management for advanced ovarian cancer. Currently, HRD testing is not funded publicly for all individuals in Canada. We aim to understand the knowledge, experiences, and attitudes of patients and healthcare providers regarding this test.
Funded by the Patient Voices in Research Initiative from the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, this pan-Canadian project aims to examine barriers to accessing homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. HRD testing is an effective biomarker test, which tailors treatment based on a patient’s genetic profile. Working with researchers across Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and BC, this project will use qualitative interviews with patients and healthcare providers to investigate attitudes and experiences surrounding HRD testing. Findings from this study add to the evidence of how we can ensure publicly funded access to HRD testing and promote patient-centered care at a national level.
Principal Investigator: Helen McTaggart-Cowan
Co-investigators: Melica Brodeur, Mark Carey, Sarah Ferguson, Laura Hopkins, Iwa Kong, Janice Kwon, Susie Lau, Karla Willows
Staff: Julia McKenna
Funding Source: Patient Voices in Research Initiative, Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network
Project Launch: November 2024