At The Heather Cutler Foundation, we’ve put forward petition e-5186 to the House of Commons, and some might ask: Are we asking too much?
The petition calls for Canada’s investment in existing initiatives like the CRAFT framework and Health Canada’s proposed modernization of clinical trials. We’re also advocating for national guidelines that not only include molecular profiling for every pancreatic cancer patient but actually fund it. And the most complicated of all? Expedited reviews of drug approval processes to make sure the long delays patients currently face never happen again.
But what are the realistic chances of accomplishing all this? And can we truly expect the government to make such big changes?
The Big Ask: What We’re Really Pushing For❔
Our petition isn’t just about minor tweaks to the system—it’s about transforming how pancreatic cancer is treated in Canada. Here’s a breakdown of what we’re asking for:
1. Expedited Review of the pCPA Process: Right now, life-saving drugs, like Onivyde, are caught in bureaucratic delays. We want to push for quicker, more efficient reviews so that patients get access to treatments they desperately need—without waiting years for approval.
2. Investment in existing initiatives: We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Instead, we’re calling for long-term investment in existing initiatives like the CRAFT framework for remote clinical trial participation and Health Canada’s proposal for decentralized clinical trials. This would allow patients in rural or underserved areas to access to clinical trials perhaps without traveling to major centre's.
3. National Guidelines for Molecular Profiling & Somatic Testing: This is where it gets complicated. We want national guidelines that ensure pancreatic cancer patients have access to molecular profiling or somatic testing of their tumours. And we don’t want them spending their nights arguing with insurance. These tests help doctors personalize treatment based on the unique genetic makeup of each patient’s cancer and predetermine which clinical trials they are eligible for. However, this isn’t a simple, funded process. Right now, molecular profiling isn’t readily available to all Canadians, and access often depends on where you live or how much you can afford to pay out-of-pocket. Our petition aims to change that, but it’s no small feat.
🤔 Is It Too Much to Ask?
If you consider the current state of pancreatic cancer care in Canada, the answer might seem like “yes”—but it really depends on your perspective. Yes, we’re asking for significant reforms, but none of these changes are impossible. Here’s why:
1. The Current System is Broken
Pancreatic cancer patients are falling through the cracks. Whether it’s waiting seven years for new treatments to be approved or not having access to vital testing, the system simply isn’t working for them. Our petition gives voice to this reality and demands the changes that patients and their families have been hoping for.
2. Other Countries Have Done It
The U.S. and other nations have already made strides in precision medicine and molecular profiling. They’ve updated their drug approval processes, invested in clinical trial innovation, and made significant progress in tailoring treatments to patients’ unique cancer profiles. We’re not asking Canada to reinvent the wheel—we’re asking them to follow suit.
3. The Government is Listening
Petition e-5186 is already in the hands of the Health Minister. We’ve made it this far, and with continued support from the public and organizations, we can push for these changes to become a reality.
What Are the Chances of Success?
Let’s be realistic. These changes won’t happen overnight. The kind of systemic shifts we’re asking for will take time, investment, and, yes, some political will. But we’re not asking for something unattainable—we’re asking for reforms that are essential to improving pancreatic cancer survival rates.
Access to molecular profiling and somatic testing is a game-changer in cancer care, but right now, it’s treated as an optional, unfunded luxury in many parts of Canada. We know it will take time to get government buy-in and funding for these essential tests, but without asking, nothing will change. If we don’t push for access to these critical diagnostics, patients will continue to miss out on the best possible treatments tailored to their tumours.
The Price of Change
We understand that real change often comes with a cost—whether it’s time, money, or political capital. We know that implementing national guidelines for testing and accelerating drug approvals won’t be cheap. But the cost of doing nothing is far greater. Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, and that’s partly because patients can’t access the right treatments or are not engaging with clinical trials at the right time. If we don’t push for these changes now, countless more patients will face the same survival rates as those who came before them decades ago.
Are We Asking Too Much?
When it comes to pancreatic cancer, the stakes are too high to ask for anything less. We’re not just asking for changes that are easy or convenient—we’re asking for changes that will save lives. We’re asking for national access to molecular profiling and somatic testing so that every patient, no matter where they live or what they can afford, gets the personalized care they need. We’re asking for faster access to life-saving drugs. We’re asking for Canada to take a stand and give pancreatic cancer patients the fighting chance they deserve.
It won’t be easy, but we believe it’s possible—with your help. If you haven’t already, sign the petition and join us in the fight to change the future of pancreatic cancer care.
