Lived Experience Matters in Cancer Care and Research
Patients and caregivers play a crucial role in improving cancer care through the Patient and Family Engagement program.
This program has expanded to match patient advocates with researchers, aiming to design more authentic and participant-friendly clinical trials and studies.
- Some patients become advocates due to positive experiences, such as early diagnosis and effective treatment.
- Others are motivated by negative experiences, like misdiagnosis or inadequate care.
Personal experiences, whether positive or negative, drive patient advocacy and inform improvements in cancer care and research.
For example, Brandelyn Bergstedt, director of Fred Hutch Cancer Center's Patient Experience Program, became an advocate after a misdiagnosis during pregnancy.
Author's summary: Patient engagement enhances cancer care and research through lived experience and advocacy.