RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

LIVInG With chrONic Cancer TrEatments (LONGEVITI) Study

Many people with advanced long-term cancers are living longer thanks to newer targeted cancer treatments. These treatments are often taken for extended periods, sometimes years, as long as they are helping. This study, called LONGEVITI, is designed to understand what it's like to live with these ongoing treatments. Researchers want to learn how to provide the best support to patients. You'll be asked to share your experiences in an interview and then create a 'metaphor' – like a drawing, song, or story – over three months to show how these treatments affect your everyday life.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Alberta

Enrolment target

Start

24 Nov 2022

Estimated completion

09 Jun 2026

Cancer Tyrosine Kinase Mutation Breast Cancer Melanoma Multiple Myeloma Chronic Leukemia Prostate Cancer Ovarian Cancer Colorectal Cancer Lung Cancer

What is this study about?

The LONGEVITI study wants to understand the daily experiences of people who are taking new, targeted anti-cancer treatments for a long time. These modern medicines have changed how people live with advanced cancers like breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, allowing many to live for years rather than months. Because these treatments are quite new, we don't fully understand their long-term impact on people's lives.

This study aims to fill that gap. By listening to your experiences, researchers hope to learn how to better support people like you who are on these long-term treatments. Your insights could help improve care for future patients.

Over three months, you'll be asked to reflect on how these treatments fit into your life and express this through a 'metaphor'. This isn't a test; it's a creative way to share your journey, using whatever form you feel best represents your experiences – it could be a visual artwork, a piece of writing, music, or anything else that brings your feelings to life.

Key takeaways

Study focuses on daily life with long-term cancer treatments.
Aims to improve support for patients on these new therapies.
Involves an interview and creating a 'metaphor' over 3 months.
Open to adults aged 18-90 on targeted anti-cancer drugs.
Participation helps future patients, no direct medical benefit for you.
You can withdraw at any time without affecting your care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 to 90 who are currently receiving ongoing targeted anti-cancer treatments for their cancer. This means you are regularly taking a specific modern cancer medicine that aims to target your cancer.

It doesn't matter what type of chronic (long-term) cancer you have, or whether you are male or female, as long as you fit the age range and are on these particular types of treatments.

There are no explicit reasons given for not being able to join, beyond not meeting the above criteria.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 90 years old?
Are you currently taking a targeted anti-cancer medicine for a long-term cancer?
Are you able to participate in an interview (in-person, phone, or video)?
Are you willing to creatively express your experiences over three months?
Do you understand that this study is about sharing experiences, not testing new treatments?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will first have an interview with the researchers. This can be done in person, over the phone, or via a video call on a computer – whichever is easiest for you. During this interview, you'll be asked about your experiences taking your cancer treatments.

After the interview, over the next three months, you'll be asked to think about how these treatments affect your daily life. The interesting part is that you'll then create a 'metaphor' to show your experiences. This could be anything you choose – a picture, a song, a story, or something else entirely – that helps explain what it's like for you. There are no follow-up visits or additional medications involved, and the total duration from your interview to completing your metaphor is around three months.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical benefits from taking part in this study, as it's not looking at new treatments. However, by sharing your experiences, you could help researchers better understand how to support people receiving ongoing cancer treatments in the future, potentially improving care for others. The main 'risk' is the time commitment and potentially reflecting on difficult experiences, but you will not be asked about anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Edith Pituskin
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What does 'targeted anti-cancer treatments' mean?

These are newer types of cancer medicines that specifically attack cancer cells with certain features, often working differently from traditional chemotherapy. You usually take them regularly for a long time.

What is a 'metaphor' in this study?

A metaphor is a way to express your feelings or experiences using a creative idea, like a drawing that shows how you feel, a song, or a story. It's your personal way of describing how your treatment affects your life.

Will I have to travel for this study?

Not necessarily. Your first interview can be in person, over the phone, or via video call, whichever is most convenient for you.

How long will I be involved in the study?

After your initial interview, you'll have about three months to think about your experiences and create your metaphor. That's the main duration of your involvement.

Will this study affect my usual cancer treatment?

No, taking part in this study will not affect your ongoing cancer treatment or your care from your medical team in any way.

How to find out more

Edith Pituskin, PhD

pituskin@ualberta.ca 7804328221 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.