Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) Update

By Belinda Jago, CAP Chair

The ANZUP Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) is a group of dedicated volunteers who have had a cancer diagnosis themselves or have cared for a family member/loved one with cancer. We demonstrate a commitment to clinical trials research as a key strategy for improving the outcomes of those affected by below the belt cancers, and provide the voice to consider ‘what is the value of this clinical trial to the community?’

As we head into 2022 we can only hope that COVID-19 settles down soon. It continues to be a very anxious time for patients, carers and their families who have already had a cancer diagnosis to then also deal with the added complexity of the pandemic. Cancer patients are certainly in good hands with the health professionals doing their utmost to look after the community, often ahead of themselves. They are now heading into the third year of this pandemic, and we can play our part by living safely, wearing masks and being vaccinated and boosted.

For the ANZUP CAP, technology continues to allow us to participate in all ANZUP activities and in some respects it gave us the opportunity to attend additional meetings as budgets for travel costs and personal time are greatly reduced with virtual meetings. The last 6 months has seen us participate in the virtual ASM for 2021. We are hoping for 2022 we may be able to meet together in Adelaide – only time will tell. We had CAP members participate in several sessions and this meeting is always valuable and informative for us.

We continued to provide advice on a number of new Patient Information and Consent forms for new trials that will be starting in 2022. We also had the lead investigators for these trials attend our meetings as part of our feedback discussions and the 360 review at the time is very useful.

Well, here’s to 2022 and whatever it may have in store for us. We know we can rise to the challenges presented, and be as positive as possible, by living each day as it comes in a safe way.

BELINDA JAGO

CAP CHAIR