ACCELERATING CLINICAL TRIALS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

In the past two decades, BC Cancer experts have transformed cancer care in our province and around the globe. Today, people facing a gynecologic or breast cancer diagnosis in B.C. have better outcomes than anywhere in the world.

Yet all women, regardless of age, health or family history, are still at risk of developing gynecologic cancer at some point in their lives. For breast cancer, it isn’t just women at risk, but some men as well.

BC Cancer Victoria has the talent and drive to solve big problems and a team helmed by leaders who understand the importance of technology and how to harness the speed of science.

WOMEN GOING BEYOND will invest in groundbreaking clinical trials that will result in new knowledge and improved treatment options for people facing breast and gynecologic cancers on Vancouver Island and across the province.

The ELISA trial will tailor treatment for women facing breast cancer. The trial will evaluate whether it is possible to identify a group of women at very low risk of recurrence following breast-conserving surgery, who do not require breast radiation therapy.

The EN:10 trial will customize therapies for endometrial cancer. The trial will identify endometrial cancer patients with low risk of recurrence based on the molecular features of their tumours. These individuals may be able to receive a lower dose of radiotherapy or may require no radiotherapy or chemotherapy after surgery.

The STRIVE trial is similar to EN:10 but will focus specifically on vulvar cancer, a rare gynecologic cancer. This will be Victoria’s first gyne surgical study.

THE IMPACT

Led by Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Jessica McAlpine in collaboration with Radiation Oncologist Dr. Caroline Holloway, the trials hold the potential to achieve greater heights of excellence for women across Vancouver Island and B.C. in receiving the best care, tailored to their specific needs.