The Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative (OBC CRI)was a six-year research program, which operated from 2001-2006 with support from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Ontario Chapter. It was one of the first major Canadian research initiatives to focus on the daily lives of women with breast cancer from their own perspectives. The research group studied the experiences of women primarily using qualitative approaches and considered the implications of the women's experiences for treatment and support systems. The research group often worked in a direct, participatory way with the women involved, with a particular focus on marginalized women and the economic and social issues they face. Some of the investigators who were part of OBC CRI over the years are pictured here.

In the final year of the research program, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Ontario Chapter provided OBC CRI with funding to distribute their research results to community groups, health service providers, policy-makers and others who are in positions to carry them forward with a view to improving the cancer care system. As part of this venture, OBC CRI researchers summarized the results of their work under two main themes: Social Inequities and The Financial Costs of Cancer. Please use these links to learn more about these issues - and please feel free to pass these handouts along to colleagues or interested groups as you see appropriate.

Here a list of community reports generated by some of the projects completed by OBC CRI. Often these projects were completed in partnership with one or more community partners. Some of the reports below reside on partner websites:

• Cancer does not discriminate: Seeking better support for marginalized and underrepresented women
• Understanding the Co$t of Breast Cancer
• Examining Breast Cancer Information From Racially Marginalized Perspectives
• Needs of Franco-Ontarian Women with Breast Cancer
• Coming Out...About Lesbians and Cancer
• Cancer Professionals' Views on the Financial Issues of Lower-Income Women with Breast Cancer
• Perspectives of Rural Women with Breast Cancer
• 'Nothing fit me': nationwide consultations with young women with breast cancer