Tzvia

2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. At times, we have been completely overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but throughout, we have persevered to make a difference in the lives of patients suffering from cancer. There is something about a cancer diagnosis that is paralyzing, resulting in loss of voice and confidence. Against this challenging backdrop, TrialJectory is committed to helping cancer patients regain control over their health journey.

This year, TrialJectory has worked diligently to shift the historical paradigm from a site and clinical trial sponsor-driven process, to a patient empowered process. Underpinning this sea change has been the introduction of technology, whereby our AI-powered digital health platform is democratizing cancer care for all patients – irrespective of their location or socioeconomic status. 

2020 Milestones

1. Half of the total cancer patient population – 11 different types of cancer – can now use TrialJectory to get matched to cancer trials based on their condition and preferences, allowing patients to really understand their options and engage in a meaningful discussion with their physician.
2. Launch of Treatment Finder, the first technology that allows cancer patients to view real-world treatment data from other patients who have a similar medical profile – i.e., the same cancer type, the same stage, the same genetic mutations and biomarkers – along with the treatment’s outcome and remission rates, whether patients experienced disease progression or toxicity and much more.
3. Rapidly growing cancer community – Over 15,000 cancer patients are now using our platform to take ownership of their cancer journey.
4. Proof of the power of tech + advocacy – We published the results of our partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, showing how powerful the combination of technology and advocacy can be in reaching patients in the community hospital setting who don’t typically have access to the best treatment from clinical trials.
5. COVID monitoring app for cancer patients – In partnership with PRA Health Sciences and Care Innovations, we gave our community free access to the Health Harmony app allowing patients to track their COVID-19 symptoms, educate themselves about the virus, and speak to trained healthcare workers who are available to answer COVID questions.
6. Launch of SaaS intelligence platform, Patient Match Optimizer, allowing pharmaceutical companies, for the first time ever, to identify patient barriers in their journey to participating in clinical trials. 
7. TIME Best Invention of 2020 – Lastly, we are proud to note that TIME has selected TrialJectory’s AI-powered clinical trial matching platform for its “100 Best Inventions of 2020” annual list.”

COVID’s Silver Lining

From the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve been wondering not just when it would end but how it would change us and our approach to providing access to the best, most advanced treatments for cancer patients. The long-term impact of the pandemic on our culture, politics and economy has amplified the inequalities and divides in our healthcare system. While the coronavirus has underscored the flaws of the American healthcare system, it may also indicate that a much-needed transformation is underway. This includes the expansion of the industry’s approach to healthcare through the use of telemedicine and online health tools. Without a doubt, patients’ use of digital health tools has increased during the pandemic which has led to many more patients enrolling in TrialJectory’s AI-powered digital health platform that is empowering cancer patients to find advanced new treatment options that fit their precise medical profiles.

The Decentralization of Clinical Trials

The next step in this evolution is decentralization of clinical trials, which is already happening in other areas of healthcare, and is now moving into the oncology space. To really change the cancer clinical trial industry, Big Pharma is beginning to pivot from the practice of setting up clinical trial sites and then searching for patients to a practice of identifying willing patients for a trial and then opening clinical trial sites – again, a more patient-centric approach. The focus will shift to integrating patients as partners in research rather than as simple subjects of research.

Getting treated for cancer during a pandemic makes everything a hundred times harder (In fact, I wrote a little piece about how it really SUCKS!), but the progress made towards patient empowerment in 2020, makes me feel even more hopeful for the future. 

That said, let’s all collectively SLAM THE DOOR on 2020 by sharing TrialJectory with someone you know who is in need. Clinical trials offer hope for a better tomorrow. 

Here’s hoping 2021 is that better tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Tzvia

Co-founder, cancer survivor, CEO

It doesn’t matter if it is our nature to feel powerful or not.

There’s something about this disease that makes us lose our voice and confidence.

Even the strongest, most vocal person, can be paralyzed by cancer.

Maybe we don’t want to “ask a stupid question”.

Maybe we’re so overwhelmed we don’t know what to ask.

Or maybe we just don’t want to “bother” our doctor.

Guess what?!

I’m here to tell you, to tell us, that we don’t have the privilege to be voiceless.

NOW is the exact time when we need our voice more than ever.

To reclaim our voice in the face of this terrifying disease, here is what we can do:

1. Prepare questions in advance: dedicate 30 min to sit down, either just with yourself or with someone you trust, to talk through and list everything that is on your mind, remember – there are no stupid questions!
2. If possible, bring someone with you to meet your doctor and ask questions. Often we get so overwhelmed during meetings with doctors, that we forget what we wanted to ask, or don’t remember what the answer was.
3. Find a support group online to draw from other’s experience – either by asking or reading others posts – to learn what are the possible scenarios and questions you should be planning for.
4. Use available tools: We created a toolkit of questions to take with you to your next virtual or in-person meeting. Find and download your cancer specific toolkit here. 

What have you done to regain your voice when you’ve lost it?…I want to know, our community wants to know!

Remember, we’re always here for you! Reach out to us any time at clinicalteam@trialjectory.com for guidance around your specific cancer.

Here to help you fight!

Tzvia

Co-founder, cancer survivor, CEO

P.S. Don’t forget to download our free app for cancer patients to monitor COVID-19 symptoms and get direct access to a team of nurses trained in Coronavirus care.