BACKGROUND
Individuals with rectal cancer require a number of pretreatment investigations, often require multidisciplinary treatment and require ongoing follow up after treatment is completed. Due to the complexity of treatments, large variations in practice patterns and outcomes have been identified. At present, few comprehensive population level datasets are available to assess interventions and outcomes in this group. The objective of the proposed study is to create a comprehensive database of individuals treated with rectal cancer in a single payer, universal health care system. This database will provide an excellent resource for investigators to study the variations in the delivery of care, and real world outcomes in this population.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to create a comprehensive database to allow for assessment of the delivery of care and outcomes in those with rectal cancer
METHODS
The Ontario Rectal Cancer Cohort (OntaReCC) database will include comprehensive details of the management and outcomes of those with rectal cancer, diagnosed in Ontario, Canada (population 14.6 million) between 2010 – 2019. Linked administrative datasets will be used to construct this comprehensive database. Individual and care provider characteristics, investigations, treatments, follow up and outcomes will be derived and linked. Surgical pathology details, including stage of disease, histopathology characteristics and quality of surgical excision, will be included. Ethics approval for this study was obtained through Queen’s University Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board. A number of research themes will initially be explored using the OntaRecc Database, including (i) the regional variability in the delivery of care and outcomes, (ii) predictors and impact of adherence to recommended care, and (iii) assessments of other understudied areas of rectal cancer care.
RESULTS
Approximately 20,000 individuals were identified who meet the inclusion criteria for this study. Data analysis is ongoing, with an expected completion date of March, 2023. This study was funded through the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grant.
CONCLUSIONS
The Ontario Rectal Cancer Cohort will include a comprehensive dataset of individuals with rectal cancer who received care within a single payer, universal health care system. This cohort will be used to determine factors associated with regional variability, adherence to recommended care and allow for an assessment of a number of understudies areas within the delivery of rectal cancer treatment.