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<strong>SCFC</strong> Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Week<br />
<strong>News</strong> <strong>Release</strong> – DRAFT June 16, 2018<br />
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
NEW RESEARCH PROVIDES A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT CANADIANS KNOW ABOUT SARCOMA<br />
CANCERS… AND WHAT THEY DON’T!<br />
Ground-breaking Research Project Announced During Annual Awareness Week<br />
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS<br />
• Even among Canadians with direct experience with cancer, one quarter (25%) have never<br />
heard of sarcoma cancer. For those without direct experience with cancer, this increased to<br />
43%.<br />
• When presented among other cancers, sarcomas are perceived to receive the least amount of<br />
funding for research (3%). Breast, lung, and prostate cancer perceived to receive the most.<br />
• Of those who have at least heard of sarcoma cancer, 50% did not know who was most at risk<br />
of diagnosis. Of the same subset, 47% did not know where the next research innovation for<br />
sarcoma would be.<br />
TORONTO, ON, June 18, 2018 – According to new research conducted by the Sarcoma Cancer<br />
Foundation of Canada (<strong>SCFC</strong>), Canadians still don’t have a full grasp on a disease that doesn’t<br />
differentiate between age, gender, and lifestyle. The bottom line is that those without a direct<br />
connection to sarcoma still don’t know enough when it comes to who is at risk, where it strikes in the<br />
body or what innovation looks like for this rare type of cancer. During the annual awareness week<br />
(June 18 – 22), the foundation wants to spotlight sarcoma cancers, improve understanding, and<br />
announce a new funding project that could change the way the medical community looks at testing.<br />
It is not all bad news when it comes to how much Canadians know about sarcomas. In contrast to<br />
survey data collected by the foundation in 2014, 34 per cent of Canadians currently have zero<br />
knowledge of the disease, compared to 56 per cent just four years ago. Good news - it is sinking in<br />
and more Canadians are armed with the facts and better prepared to respond. Although there has<br />
been progress, it is not good enough and there is still work to be done.<br />
“Awareness and improved understanding is key and our recent survey truly validates that,” says Diana<br />
Arajs, President of the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada. “The foundation applauds all of the<br />
sarcoma champions across Canada who are driving important conversations and raising money for<br />
much needed research. Funds go directly into initiatives that can be game-changers for the disease<br />
and we are excited to announce <strong>SCFC</strong>’s newest research project.”<br />
Screening and testing innovations are pushing the boundaries of discovery each and every day. This<br />
along with important targeted and immunotherapy treatments, the sarcoma story is getting better.<br />
The majority of Canadians (47 per cent) are uncertain about the next major research innovation,<br />
according to the survey, so <strong>SCFC</strong>’s research announcement is well timed.
<strong>SCFC</strong> Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Week<br />
<strong>News</strong> <strong>Release</strong> – DRAFT June 16, 2018<br />
The research endeavor will evaluate new testing methods for targeted sarcoma treatments that have<br />
the ability to improve patient outcomes and potentially revolutionize the way sarcoma is diagnosed<br />
and treated. This brand new research initiative will give patients with rare forms of soft tissue<br />
sarcoma (STS) faster, simpler, and more accurate diagnoses, so that their treatment can get started<br />
sooner. Since STS is not just one disease - there are over 50 types - patients often need to undergo a<br />
great deal of invasive testing, including surgical biopsies, to be diagnosed accurately.<br />
Led by a collaborative team of scientists at Sinai Health System's Christopher Sharp Cancer Centre and<br />
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the research will use next generation sequencing technologies to<br />
analyze the blood of patients with sarcoma, seeking distinctive 'signatures' that reveal their tumours'<br />
specific mutations. With this detailed insight into the tumour's characteristics and weaknesses,<br />
oncologists will be able to develop a blood test that allows them to diagnose rare types of STS with<br />
precision, and better guide treatment decisions.<br />
This simple and minimally invasive "liquid biopsy" could spare patients from undergoing invasive<br />
surgical biopsies to diagnose their tumour. Patients will to able to start treatment sooner (and with<br />
less stress to their body), and oncologists will be able to monitor the patient easily, using a simple<br />
blood test to determine if the tumour is shrinking.<br />
Arajs remarks, “the patients we speak with every day inspire us to contribute in ways that can have<br />
positive and meaningful impacts on their lives. We look forward to research outcomes and continuing<br />
to support this strong and dedicated community of patients, caregivers and family.”<br />
About the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada<br />
The <strong>SCFC</strong> was founded in 2010 in memory of Vera Arajs and other Canadians who have lost their lives<br />
to sarcoma cancers. We are a volunteer-run national organization supporting patients and their<br />
families, while working with Canada's leading researchers in their efforts to eradicate sarcoma<br />
cancers.<br />
It is our mission to connect patients and their families with the best medical information and<br />
community resources, to ease the process of dealing with a sarcoma cancer diagnosis and treatment.<br />
-30-<br />
For more information please contact:<br />
Ethan Pigott<br />
416-558-2783<br />
info@sarcomacancer.ca
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