Grant: Op Grant: Analyses of Existing Canadian Cohorts & Databases - Cancer Control

With the aging population and the increasing cost of new cancer drugs, the financial impact of cancer is expected to grow. There is recognition that intensification of medical care, including the aggressive use of diagnostic procedures and therapies, can be clinically inappropriate in certain clinical settings. Unnecessary tests and treatments represent a misuse of healthcare resources that can otherwise be used to benefit other patients. Most importantly, futile cancer care can contribute to substantial physical and psychological harm to patients and their caregivers. Through analysis of large existing clinical databases, this study aims to characterize the factors associated with unnecessary tests and treatments so that we can improve the overall quality of care that cancer patients receive.