We formed this group in 2021.
We gratefully acknowledge funding by The Office of Public Engagement – Quick Start Fund that made this partnership possible! We also thank NLSUPPORT for supporting us.
The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research is a meaningful partnership between scientists at Memorial University and a diverse group of members of the public (including cancer patients, families, healthcare providers, and policy makers) in order to bring an impactful and positive change to the lives of individuals affected by cancer.
Community report for 2025 by the Public Interest Group on Cancer
Happy 2026 everyone! Here is a little summary of our accomplishments for the past year – hope you will enjoy this video clip. We wish you a wonderful 2026! Sevtap
We have a logo!
Dear folks, We are pleased to share our group’s logo with you! We loved how it shows togetherness and feeling of community that we have been experiencing and seeing around us. Happy New Year! ©Public Interest Group on Cancer.
Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Award
I am excited to note that I will be receiving the Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Award by the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA) in Nov 2025. Congratulations to all awardees – what a great cohort of folks who are dedicated to make a difference at the cancer front! I am so…
New publication by our Group!
We are excited to share our latest publication about our activities as the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research! 🙂 We invite you to take a look at our publication – see the link below. https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/10/579 Our work since 2021 has shown that there is a need to reach out to public in our province.…
Episode 28 – Cancer care is team care
In this episode we have Dr. Melanie Seal, and oncologist with the NL Health System explaining the main treatment modalities in cancer and how different oncology professionals coordinate together to provide the best care to patients. Take a look
Episode 27 – Experiencing cancer as a community member in the Big Land
Our guest in this podcast is Justin Andrews from Labrador 🙂 In this episode, Justin shares his reasons to advocate for people and Labrador communities, barriers to healthcare access, community and other support in Labrador that help address cancer’s impact, and champion healthcare providers in the region. Take a look
Episode 26 – Hereditary cancers
We are pleased to air our 26th podcast episode today 🙂 Wondering about cancers running in the family and what you/we can do about them? Dr. Lesa Dawson explains Listen to her🎧
Episode 25 – Joy of reducing suffering through psychosocial oncology
Listen to our new podcast with Dr. Sheila Garland on psychosocial oncology and healing in cancer!
Episode 24 – Patient influencers of research
In our newest podcast episode, Dr. Holly Etchegary talks to Jason Wiseman and Janine-Taylor Cutting about how patients and family members influence and progress the health-related research. Take a look ❤️
Episode 23 – Patient-oriented research from a patient partner & leader perspective
We are pleased to air our new podcast! In this episode, Janine Taylor Cutting an Sevtap Savas talk to Lisa Ridgway, a powerful patient partner and leader from British Columbia Together, they dissect what patient-oriented research means and how we all can contribute to this meaningful research strategy Take a look #NewfoundlandAndLabrador#PatientLeaders#PublicEngagement#PublicOutreach#StrategyForPatientOrientedResearch#podcasting
Episode 22 – “Cancer is preventable, treatable, beatable”
We are pleased to air our new podcast! In this episode, Tracy Slaney and Sevtap Savas talked to Barry Stein, the director of Colorectal Cancer Canada, a community support organization focusing on colon and rectal cancers in Canada. Barry candidly shared his story with cancer and how this experience shaped his advocacy and leadership. Take…
Podcast episode 21 – “But Don, all cancers are treatable”
Welcome to our new podcast! Our guest today is Dr. Don Desserud! Don has brough fresh perspectives to our podcast as someone with lived experience of cancer and as a political science professor from PEI. We talked mainly about two important topics: 1. Impact of clinic communication on patients and importance of trauma-informed communications by…
Podcast Episode 20 – Experiences and perspectives by a queer cancer warrior
Please join Stephanie Howlett chatting about ovarian cancer, being a cancer warrior and queer person affected by cancer in this new powerful podcast episode!
Podcast Episode 19 – No backing down – Stomach cancer, self-advocacy, and living without a stomach
Please join us in this heart-warming chat with Lianne Mantla-Look about her journey of stomach cancer, resilience, self-advocacy and more. Lianne is an amazing advocate with lived experience. We are so excited that she joined us for this podcast. Take a look.
Guest blog: “Cancer: Make a Good Nuisance of Yourself”
Guest Blog 8 By John Dabell @John_Dabell January 2025 England ———————————————————————————————————————————- When you are told you have cancer then you probably don’t feel much like fighting. The initial shock and awe can incapacitate your whole being. Your senses simply shut down. I was completely overwhelmed after I had been told I had incurable Stage IV…
GUEST BLOG: My story of surviving stomach cancer in Turkiye – PART VII
Guest Blog 7 – PART VII By Mehtap Savaş January 2025 Ankara, Turkiye ——————————————————————————————————————————- This guest blog consists of seven parts – hyperlinks will be added as they are published in order: PART I – INTRODUCTION (please see here) PART II – LIFE WITH CANCER AND TREATMENT (please see here) PART III – LIFE WITHOUT A…
Podcast Episode 18: Grief as a transformative journey
In this episode, Sevtap talked with Dr. Peter Barnes about grief, bereavement, and healing at the face if loss. Take a look. image by Kayla Crichton
Podcast Episode 17: “Being a single mom with cancer is a real game changer”
We are pleased to start Season II of our podcast series! In this episode, Andrea Edwards joined Sevtap to share her story with cancer as a single mom. Her resilience and advocacy shine. Listen to Andrea: On behalf of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, thank you Andrea.
Guest Blog: My story of surviving stomach cancer in Turkiye – PART II
Guest Blog 7 – PART II By Mehtap Savaş January 2025 Ankara, Turkiye ————————————————————————————————————————————— This guest blog consists of seven parts – hyperlinks will be added as they are published in order: PART I – INTRODUCTION (please see here) PART II – LIFE WITH CANCER AND TREATMENT PART III – LIFE WITHOUT A STOMACH (please…
Guest Blog: My story of surviving stomach cancer in Turkiye
Guest Blog 7 – PART I By Mehtap Savaş January 2025 Ankara, Turkiye ————————————————————————————————————————————— This guest blog consists of seven parts – hyperlinks will be added as they are published in order: PART I – INTRODUCTION PART II – LIFE WITH CANCER AND TREATMENT (please see here) PART III – LIFE WITHOUT A STOMACH (please…
Public Interest Group on Cancer Research_Newsletter_2024
We – the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research – are pleased to note our achievements for the year of 2024 in our Newsletter! We thank everyone who interacted with us and supported our work – May 2025 bring you the best days ever!
New scholarly publication – Toward a public outreach and community engagement strategy on cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador: An initial road map and recommendations
We are excited to share with you our new scholarly (peer reviewed) article just published in Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice! In this manuscript, we worked on understanding public engagement needs and opportunities when it comes to cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador. We also developed recommendations for both our group and external stakeholders.…
Special Episodes 15 and 16 – Advocacy, and issues and recent changes in workplace legislations when it comes to cancer
We were pleased to have two special podcast episodes in September and October with Tracy Slaney and Heather Mulligan. Tracy Slaney is an amazing advocate and caregiver in Newfoundland and Labrador. Heather Mulligan is from Canadian Cancer Society Advocacy unit in Atlantic Canada. We have had cozy and very informative chats about what it means…
Episode 14 – “You are not alone”. Mike Kehoe shares his messages of hope for all folks out there
In this last episode of our Season I, we talked with Mike Kehoe, a community member and person with a lived experience of prostate cancer. Mike shared not only his experience with us, but also his positive and empowering messages. We are grateful that he took his time to converse with us. Take a look:…
Episode 13 – “I have led people to the promised land, but I could not enter the promised land. In memory of Dr. Robin McGee”
Our condolences to Robin’s family, friends, and the cancer community in Canada and beyond. Robin passed away from colorectal cancer in June 2024 after 14 years living with it . She was a fierce advocate and change-maker. In this episode we talked with Robin and Hope Gillis about cancer, advocacy and coaching. It is one…
Episode 12 – Indigenous Patient Navigator Program in Newfoundland and Labrador – Ashley Dicker shares important knowledge about this impactful healthcare service
We are very excited to air this informative and fascinating podcast with Ashley Dicker on Indigenous Patient Navigator Program available in Newfoundland and Labrador. This program is designed to support Indigenous persons traveling for medical care in the province. Six Indigenous Patient Navigators in the province provide all bunch of services and support, making sure…
Episode 11 – Push For Your Tush! Listen to Tracy how her family is living with cancer but not ruled by it
This is one of the coziest and most fun chat we have had folks – take a look at it 🙂 In this episode, Tracy and myself (Sevtap) chat about colon cancer, lived experience as a caregiver, advocacy, rising funds and rising awareness about screening tests, and the Push For Your Tush fundraisings event organized…
Episode 10 – At the intersection of being trans and having gendered cancer – PART II: Interview with James Moriarty and Dr. Joannie Neveu
In this episode, we continued our conversation with James Moriarty about his experiences of being a trans man with a history of cancer in an organ associated with female sex assigned at birth (you can find PART I here). Dr. Neveu, who cares for a few trans persons with cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador, provides…
Episode 9 – Those with lived experience are the best teachers and speakers: Listen to our chat with Stephanie Budgell
In this podcast episode, Janine and Sevtap talked with Stephanie Budgell, a young person with a history of cancer and a long period of advocacy. This is one of the coziest conversation we have ever had 🙂 Take a look: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sevtap-savas/episodes/Episode-9–Those-with-lived-experience-are-the-best-teachers-and-speakers-Listen-to-our-chat-with-Stephanie-Budgell-e2j892l
Promotion Video – Public Event on Transgender Individuals and Cancer
It was so much fun to shoot this promotional video on our upcoming public and virtual event “A Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion Event on Transgender Individuals and Cancer” May 16th, 2024 REGISTRATION: https://shorturl.at/gsuKY We gratefully acknowledge that this video is created by Shamila Yazdanpanah using Canva Pro. We are grateful for our funder (Office…
Episode 8 – “I had a tumor of the size of a tissue box” –Bonnie Morgan and Alana Walsh-Giovannini tell us about ovarian cancer and Belles with Balls
We are pleased to air our latest podcast today! In this episode, we talked with Bonnie Morgan and Alana Walsh-Giovannini. Together we talked about ovarian cancer, lived experience, messages of hope, the charity organization they have founded (Belles with Balls), and most importantly how a dedicated team of 8 women have raised more than half…
Episode 7 – Do you get patient-centered cancer care? A cozy, hopeful, and inspirational chat with Dr. Maisam Najafizada
Our special guest today was Dr. Maisam Najafizada 😊 Dr. Najafizada is the interim Assistant Dean of Social Accountability and an assistant professor of Health Policy at the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University. In this episode: Please listen to our great chat here:
Episode 6 – A story of childhood cancers, resilience, and using lived experience to support others– Alan Winnett from Candlelighters NL shares
Our kids also get cancer – let’s not forget them when we talk or think about how to control and win over cancer. In Canada, every year around 1,000 kids will be diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, we will also lose around 200 kids to cancer annually. Pediatric cancers have impacts on the kids, their parents…
Registration open – DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION EVENT FOCUSING ON TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WITH CANCER
We are pleased to say that the registration for the “DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION EVENT FOCUSING ON TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS WITH CANCER” is now open! Registration is free – please register here: https://www.med.mun.ca/oped/programs/4742 We cannot wait to screen the documentary called Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer and have discussions with a panel of transgender folks…
Podcast Episode 5 –“Prepare to die, but plan to live”: An impactful chat with Geoff Eaton about his lived experience, young adult cancers, and Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC)
Our special guests today is Geoff Eaton, the Director of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC). In this episode: Take a look and hope you will enjoy this episode as much as Geoff and Sevtap have.
Impact of patient and family stories
I write this blog post as a part of our latest project where we (The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research) aim to create digital resources and stories about cancer in the form of blogs, video recordings, and podcasts. Today, I focus on the guest blogs. These guest blogs are written by folks affected by…
Guest Blog: “Then there was hope”
Guest Blog Post – 6 By Namiko Sakamoto March 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador ————————————————————————————————————————————– 1 in 8 women is diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in spring 2020 shortly after the world was placed under the first COVID-19 lockdown. With coughs and a choking feeling, I thought I…
Podcast Episode 4 – “There is a future where we do not have to worry about cancer”: Vision by two young leaders – Sophia Ryan and Emma McIsaac
Excited to present our 4th podcast! Kayla Crichton and Sevtap Savas, PhD talked to two young MUN students who are co-chairing the Relay For Life 2024 event for Memorial University of Newfoundland: Emma McIsaac and Sophia Ryan Relay for Life is organized by Canadian Cancer Society to raise funds and awareness about cancer. These two…
You Saved My Life
Have you ever wondered how genetics research was able to provide answers to affected families, including in the case of cancer? How do the researchers and individuals affected by cancer see this through their eyes and experience? How did Newfoundland and Labrador families help with identifying the cause of certain diseases? Take a look at…
GUEST BLOG: “DAD WOULD BE SO PROUD!” – PART II
Guest Blog 5 – PART II Darrell Peddle, P.Eng. February, 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Please see Part – I of this guest blog by Darrell Peddle here: ————————————————————————————– 5. What are the opportunities or new ideas that can make a difference in patient health and outcomes in NL? This is strictly my opinion, and based…
Podcast Episode 2 – At the intersection of being trans and having gendered cancer: A candid, timely, and educational conversation with James Moriarty
On behalf of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, welcome to Episode 2 of our podcast series! We have a very special guest today, James Moriarty! 😊 In this episode, James provides his experience and thoughts about cancer, cancer screening, and cancer care experiences as a transgender man in Newfoundland and Labrador. All very…
Guest Blog: “Dad would be so proud!” – PART I
Guest Blog 5 – PART I Darrell Peddle, P.Eng. February, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador For Part II please see here: ————————————————————————————– 1. Can you tell us about yourself? My name is Darrell Peddle, and I was born and raised in Shearstown NL, presently living in Bay Roberts with my wife Karen of 28 years. We…
Podcast Episode 1 – A cozy chat about cancer, Newfoundland and Labrador, and fate of a bagel
On this World Day of Cancer, we are excited to release our Podcast Episode 1, where Jason, Janine, and myself talk about cancer, our province, and a bagel (!) in a comfy, cozy, and friendly way 🙂 A few things we – The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research – wanna achieve with this podcast…
Guest Blog: “A Message of Hope and Healing”
—————————————————————————————————————- Guest Blog Post – 4 By Deanna Roy January 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador My name is Deanna Roy, I was diagnosed June 1st, 2018 with stage 4 HR2 positive metastatic breast cancer at the age of 42. From St, John’s Newfoundland and my cancer journey is not a typical cancer journey in the way…
Guest Blog: “Leaving our lives in the hands of time”
—————————————————————————————————————- Guest Blog Post – 3 By Jenna Neville January 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador Imagine this: It’s the beginning of the 2000’s, you’re in your early 30’s, married with a young daughter. The time has come to go to your regularly scheduled Pap test appointment; while there, the doctor also performs a routine breast exam.…
Pilot Podcast Episode – Introduction to our team and project!
On behalf of the entire Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, we are beyond excited to share with you our first ever podcast episode aired today! Thank you Jason Wiseman, Janine Taylor-Cutting, Kayla Crichton, and Aaron Curtis for making this a reality! Podcasting is one of the digital tools that we have proposed in one…
SAVE THE DATE: Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion event focusing on transgender individuals with cancer
MAY 16, 2024 All interested individuals are invited! Registration details to be announced soon.
New Project! Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion event focusing on transgender individuals with cancer
May 9, 2024 UPDATE: We invite you to view our promotional video – it is so much fun! April 24, 2024 UPDATE: We invite you to meet our documentary makers and panelists. Please see here: https://strength-in-community.ca/2024/04/24/meet-our-documentary-makers-and-panelists/ April 7, 2024 UPDATE: Registration to this event is now open! Please see here: https://strength-in-community.ca/2024/04/07/registration-open-documentary-screening-and-panel-discussion-event-focusing-on-transgender-individuals-with-cancer/ Jan 15, 2024 UPDATE:…
Annual Newsletter for 2023_Public Interest Group on Cancer Research
We are pleased to share with everyone our Annual Newsletter summarizing what the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research is and its main accomplishments for the year of 2023 are! We have enjoyed our work together and succeeding in conducting and developing public engagement projects on cancer. Our members also have contributed to a number…
We would like to be a part of bigger solutions
The new questions I am working on. I know someone out there has the answers. Feel free to comment or email me at savas{at}mun.ca. Thank you. Sevtap Savas, PhD. Sept 20, 2023, St. John’s.
Public Interest Group on Cancer Research made two presentations in a national academic conference!
We are delighted to note that our group has made two presentations at the The Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC) Conference (Sept 14-15, 2023)! The titles and authors of these presentations are: 1. Partnering with patient advisers in designing and delivering public engagement events on cancer. Sevtap Savas, Alicia Follett, Holly…
Project end report for stakeholders: Development of a community engagement & outreach strategy on cancer
We are very pleased to share the Project End Report for our latest Public Engagement project entitled “Development of a community engagement and outreach strategy on cancer”. This is a project that was designed by the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research. The project leads include John King a public member and Sevtap Savas, a…
Public Interest Group on Cancer Research published their 2nd scholarly manuscript!
What a pleasure to share with you our new scholarly manuscript on lessons learnt, experience and perspectives gained as a result of the Public Conference on Cancer (Oct 15, 2022)!! This conference was organized and delivered by the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research. I strongly believe that the public members of this group were…
NEWSLETTER – Public Interest Group on Cancer Research – 2022
We are pleased to report back to our community! Please see the Newsletter below for our goals for and main achievements in 2022! We wish all of you a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year. On behalf of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research, Sevtap Savas.
Guest blog: “The more I expand my knowledge the more I also understand that there is hope”
Pleased to introduce you to our first guest blogger, who wishes to remain anonymous but is happy to share their thoughts as someone affected by cancer. —————————————————————————————————————- Guest Blog Post – 1 September 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador Cancer has affected my family in so many different ways. I am fortunate enough to say I have…
Our manuscript describing the creation, aims, and work of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research has been published 🙂
Last weekend was a very proud time for us – our manuscript describing the creations, aims, and the work of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research is now published in a peer-reviewed, open access, and international journal 🙂 You can access it here: https://researchinvolvement.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40900-022-00380-8
Presented the work of Public Interest Group on Cancer Research in an international congress (IPOS/CAPO 2022)
So excited to have represented and presented the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research in the International Psycho-Oncology Society / Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (IPOS/CAPO) 2022 Congress! This is a joint congress held between IPOS and CAPO between August 29-September 1. I truly enjoyed listening to talks from all corners of the world and…
Cancer patients and family members are very effective story tellers and public educators
We have been generously disseminating our work generated as the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research through a variety of ways. Recently, we have had three radio interviews. These interviews are excellent opportunities to hear our members affected by cancer (patients or family members from NL), and their opinions, experiences, perspectives, and motivations when it…
Proudly presented The Public Interest On Cancer Research in a national conference last week!
Happy to note that I presented the creation, work, and characteristics of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research in the Canadian ARCC (Applied Research and Cancer Control) Conference held early last week!! This was our first presentation of our highly successful group in an academic/scientific setting. I could not be prouder and excited to…
Dissemination of the work of Public Interest Group on Cancer Research (Jan-May 2022)
We widely disseminate the work of this group for wider audience. For example: Key points: Cancer group puts patient, family perspectives and experiences in centre of conversation LETTER: Moving towards patient-directed quality care in oncology in N.L. We submitted a report to Eastern Health / Oncology/ Provincial Cancer Care Program leadership in Jan 2022. One conference…
What did the Public Interest Group on Cancer achieve in 2021?
One of the primary aims of this group has been to identify the needs and priorities of the cancer patients and families in the province, and then design research studies and public engagement activities to address these needs. In 2021, we efficiently identified the key priorities of patients and families in the province and are…
Who are the members of the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research?
This group currently includes 12 public members affected by cancer, in addition to three investigators (Drs. Holly Etchegary, Cindy Whitten, and Sevtap Savas). We thank the previous members in 2021, Dr. Teri Stuckless, Dr. Farah McCrate, Rebecca Roome, Doug Smith, and two public members, for their contributions! Dr. Sevtap Savas (Investigator): Dr. Savas is a…
Creating the Public Interest Group on Cancer Research (2021)
We formed this group in 2021. We gratefully acknowledge funding by The Office of Public Engagement – Quick Start Fund that made this partnership possible! We also thank NLSUPPORT for supporting us. The Public Interest Group on Cancer Research is a meaningful partnership between scientists at Memorial University and a diverse group of members of the public (including cancer patients,…