The Pacific Cancer Research Consortium (PCRC), an NCORP Community Site

In 2013, the Pacific Cancer Research Consortium (PCRC) was created to bring clinical trials and cancer care delivery research to community cancer treatment centers in the Western United States as an NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Community Site. Under a multiple PI/PD structure, the 3 primary component sites—Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, and St. Luke’s Cancer Institute in Boise—have facilitated the conduct of NCORP-sponsored trials at more than 40 affiliate sites in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California. Over the past 12 years, the PCRC built on its collective experience in clinical research, its shared organizational structure, and its community demographics to deliver accessible research trials, enhance community engagement in research, and provide quality cancer care. As an established NCORP Community Site, the PCRC will continue to “bring cancer clinical research studies to individuals in their own communities” by (1) conducting clinically important treatment trials that include robust accrual strategies and fair access for everyone, (2) participating in cancer control and prevention studies, cancer care delivery research, and screening, and imaging trials proposed by the NCORP Research Bases, (3) optimizing and streamlining procedures to ensure timely and accurate data submission and specimen collection, (4) enhancing visibility, recruitment, participation, education, and broad population engagement including patient advocates in NCORP activities, and (5) mentoring the next generation of community-based cancer clinical trialists.