Grant: Op Gr: Data Analysis Using Existing Databases n Cohorts-Cancer Prevention n Ctrl

Rectal cancer is common in Canada. Individuals who are diagnosed with rectal cancer require a number of investigations, multiple types of treatments and require long term follow up. Despite being a treatable cancer, only 65% of rectal cancer patients survive 5 years or longer after diagnosis. Due to the complexity in management, clinical practice guidelines have been created to help ensure receipt of recommended e care. Unfortunately, we do not know how many rectal cancer patients in Ontario are receiving appropriate care and how this affects their survival. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify how many patients are not receiving recommended care in Ontario. We will examine which factors may contribute to not receiving recommended care, and we will examine whether receiving recommended care improves survival. To complete this study, we will use existing data available at Cancer Care and Epidemiology at Queen's University. We have a database of 5000 individuals with rectal cancer treated from 2010 - 2015. This data will be combined (linked) with other databases, which capture all aspects of care along their continuum from diagnosis to follow up. We will report the proportions of patients adhering to recommended care. We will also assess which factors are contributing to not receiving recommended care, including patient factors (age, sex, geographic location, income level) and provider factors (hospital and treating physician). Finally, we will assess whether receipt of guideline adherent care improves long term survival. This study will provide "real world" results on whether patients are receiving recommended care, what is prevented receipt of this care, and whether adherence to recommendations improves survival. This information will allow those in health advocacy and policy to establish targeted intervention to increase adherence and ultimately improve survival for individuals with rectal cancer in Ontario.