Background
This is an opportunity for Latin Americans living in Canada to join a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) that will inform and advise on a program of research that includes two research studies funded by the Canadian Cancer Society. Latin Americans are people coming from the Latin American region now living in Canada or people with Latin American ancestry.

PFAC members will be invited to collaborate on various research project processes including co-designing interview guides, data collection (conducting peer-to-peer interviews and focus groups), data analysis and knowledge translation/dissemination.

Study 1: RES0060011 Increasing Access to Palliative Care for Advanced Cancer Patients from Racialized Communities of African and Latin American Descent
This study aims to develop an ‘access to palliative care’ strategy through collaboration and partnership with advanced cancer patients, their families, and community members of African and Latin American descent.

Study 2: RES0060854 Improving Equity and Wellness in Cancer Care with Racialized
This study aims to delineate a patient-oriented pathway to improve equity and wellness in cancer care together with racialized advanced cancer patients of African and Latin American descent, their families and communities.

To ensure this research is meaningful, and that it reflects what matters most to families and communities, we will engage patients (including families and communities) as partners in the design of the strategy and follow their perspectives, guidance, and lived experiences in the planning and undertaking of these studies.

Studies in other countries show that people of African and Latin American descent are overrepresented in those with advanced cancer diagnosis, a significant cancer disparity. We know that social inequality contributes to cancer disparities, and we know that racialized communities in Canada experience inequality. We have learned from their experiences that social disparities create delays and challenges in access to care in Canada.The studies will also assist us to explore, together with community members, approaches to improve equity and increase the health and wellness of racialized communities living with advanced cancer in Canada.

In 2031, about one-third of the Canadian population will belong to a racialized community. A significant number of members from racialized communities will access cancer care in the course of their lives and require palliative care. These studies will assist us, with direction from the community, to take this knowledge to action as we take steps to lessen inequalities affecting advanced cancer patients of African and Latin American descent throughout their cancer care and palliative care trajectories. Our study team also involves members from these communities with expertise doing research with these populations and a first-hand understanding of their sociocultural identities and our research work to date has focused on advanced cancer patients experiencing socioeconomic inequities.

Roles and Responsibilities
We are seeking to engage patients, families and community members of Latin American descent and with lived experience (either their own or a family or community member) of cancer to join our Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and inform the development and design of our projects.
The group meets monthly online and meetings are about 1.5 hours long each. In addition, PFAC members are offered training and additional opportunities to collaborate on research processes and activities such as co-developing interview question guides, developing inclusive participant recruitment strategies and approaches, data collection, data analysis, dissemination and other aspects of the projects.

Time Commitment
The PFAC is ongoing and anticipates to continue for two years with possible opportunity to renew after two years. PFAC members are expected to attend regular monthly meeetings of approximately 1.5 hours long.
In addition, there are opportunities to join working groups and collaborate on additional aspects of the projects and others in this program of research.

Compensation/Reimbursement
Compensation is being offered as per AbSPORU guidelines. See link here.
This is an online opportunity so there are no parking, travel, or other related expenses.