Whom should you contact if you have questions?
If you have any questions or need further information regarding this study before or during participation, please feel free to contact the Biobank Coordinators at (604) 877-6000 ext. 672172 or email us at gubiobank@bccancer.bc.ca. For questions related to privacy or your rights as a biobank participant, please contact the BC Cancer Research Ethics Board (REB) at reb@bccancer.bc.ca or (604) 877-6284. When reaching out, please provide the reference number H23-01402 for better assistance from the staff.
Will my decision not to donate to the biobank affect my treatment?
The decision to donate to the biobank is entirely voluntary, and it will not impact the course of your treatment in any way. Your participation in the BioBank is separate from your medical care, and you are under no obligation to donate. Rest assured that whether you choose to donate or not, your treatment will be unaffected and you will receive the same level of care and attention from our medical team.
Will researchers be able to identify which sample and information belongs to me?
Your confidentiality is safeguarded by the BioBank. While researchers may receive general information such as your gender, age, and type of disease, your identifying details like name, birth date, and personal healthcare number (PHN) are never disclosed. BioBank staff meticulously remove all personal information from samples, replacing it with a non-identifying code. This code is used for cataloguing samples to ensure your anonymity is protected throughout the research process.