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Cancer clinical trials (CCTS) are essential for furthering knowledge and developing effective interventions to improve the lives of people living with cancer in Canada. Randomized controlled trials are particularly important for developing evidence-based health care interventions. To produce robust and relevant research conclusions, timely and sufficient accrual to CCTS is essential. The present report delivers the key recommendations emerging from a workshop meeting, Improve Accrual to Cancer Clinical Trials, that was hosted by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The meeting, which took place in Toronto, Ontario, in April 2012 before the Canadian Cancer Trials Group annual spring meeting, brought together key stakeholders from across Canada to explore creative strategies for improving accrual to CCTS. The objectives of the workshop were to provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange with respect to the research evidence and the ethics theory related to CCT accrual and to promote discussion of best practices and policies related to enhancing CCT access and accrual in Canada. The workshop provided the foundation for establishing new interdisciplinary research collaborations to overcome the identified barriers to CCT participation in Canada. Meeting participants also supported the development of evidence-based policies and practices to make trials more accessible to Canadians living with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the discovery of the genetic mutation underlying Huntington disease (HD) and the development of predictive testing, the genetics of HD has generally been described as straightforward; an individual receives either mutation-positive or negative predictive test results. However, in actuality, the genetics of HD is complex and a small proportion of individuals receive an unusual predictive test result called an intermediate allele (IA). Unlike mutation-positive or negative results, IAs confer uncertain clinical implications. While individuals with an IA will usually not develop HD, there remains an unknown risk for their children and future generations to develop the disorder. The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals understood and interpreted their IA result. Interviews were conducted with 29 individuals who received an IA result and 8 medical genetics service providers. Interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method and the coding procedures of grounded theory. Many participants had difficulty ' Grasping the Grey' (i.e. understanding and interpreting their IA results) and their family experience, beliefs, expectations, and genetic counseling influenced the degree of this struggle. The theoretical model developed informs clinical practice regarding IAs, ensuring that this unique subset of patients received appropriate education, support, and counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used around the world for cancer. Preliminary research indicates that cultural factors influence cancer patients? decisions to use, with significant associations seen between ethnicity and prevalence and type of CAM use. To enhance a culturally-appropriate understanding of CAM use in Chinese cancer patients in BC, this study explored a sample of Chinese cancer patients to gain: (1) the general conceptualization of CAM use; (2) the meaning of CAM use in relation to cancer; (3) the patterns of CAM use prior to and after cancer diagnosis; (4) the reasons for CAM use; and (5) the socio-cultural process in making decision about CAM use. A naturalistic, descriptive study design was used that incorporated semi-structural ethnographic interviewing and qualitative data analysis. The results of this study provide insights about the pattern, reasons, meaning, as well as cultural and socioeconomic factors underpinning the use of CAM. The CAM decision-making (DM) process was found to be nonlinear and comprised of four distinct phases: fitting with the cultural belief framework/lifestyle, seeking information and clarification, evaluating the effectiveness of CAM use, and balancing the cost and benefits of CAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]