Introduction

You are being invited to participate in a survey conducted by Dr. Robby Nieuwlaat and Dr. Wojtek Wiercioch, because:

• you are a health professional, firefighter, caregiver, or policymaker aged 16 and older
• you have an interest in cancer detection for firefighters.

To decide whether you want to fill in this survey, you should understand what is involved and the potential risks and benefits.

This page gives detailed information about the research survey. Once you understand the survey, you can fill it in if you want to participate.

The co-investigators Dr. Robby Nieuwlaat and Dr. Wojtek Wiercioch are under contract with the sponsor of this survey and are receiving compensation to cover the costs of conducting the survey. The investigators have no conflicts of interest to declare related to this survey.

Why is this research being done?

The International Agency for Research on Cancers, part of the World Health Organization, has found that working as a firefighter can increase the risk of cancer.

In response, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-224. This bill created a national plan to raise awareness about cancers linked to firefighting and to improve access to prevention, screening, and treatment.

As part of this work, Health Canada selected McMaster University’s Cochrane Canada and GRADE Centre to develop guidelines for cancer detection in firefighters. We will develop about 20 recommendations, based on the best available research, to support decisions about cancer detection in firefighters.

What is the purpose of this survey?

Creating guidelines takes time and resources. Because cancer detection includes many possible actions – such as education, screening, diagnosis, and system changes – the project needs a clear focus.

This survey helps identify the topics and questions that are most important for firefighters and could have the largest impact on health. Your feedback will help us refine the topics. From all suggested questions, about 20 will be selected to develop the final recommendations.

What will be my responsibilities if I take part in the survey?

If you volunteer to participate in this survey, we will ask you: 

• For your input to help decide which topics should be included in the guidelines.
• To review the suggested topics and share your comments or concerns.
• To suggest specific questions that you want the guidelines to answer.

What are the possible risks and discomforts?

Taking part in this survey has very little risks. However, there may be questions related to work-related cancer that may cause some people to feel upset or uncomfortable. You can skip any question you do not want to answer or stop the survey at any time before you submit it.

With any online survey, there is a small risk of privacy breaches or technical issues. We reduce this risk by using secure systems, like McMaster University’s OneDrive platform, to collect and store data. All data is stored on Canadian servers. You may not personally benefit from taking part in this survey. However, your answers may help improve future research or guidelines on these topics.

Once the study is finished, results are usually shared in scientific journals. Taking part will not cost you anything, and you will not be asked to take part in other parts of the study.

If I do not want to take part in the survey, are there other choices?

Participation in this survey is entirely your choice. You can choose not to participate or stop the survey at any time before submitting, without any negative consequences. Your decision will not affect your relationship with the researchers or their organization. Choosing to participate or not will not affect your employment, access to services, or professional standing. Because the survey does not collect your name or other direct identifiers, once you submit it, your answers cannot be removed.

Will I be paid to participate in this survey?

You will not be paid for taking this survey.

What information will be kept private?

All information you share will be kept confidential. Your answers will not contain any direct identifiers and will be combined with other responses so you cannot be identified.  Only approved members of the research team will be able to see the data. Any reports or publications will not include information that could identify you. Please do not include personal details (such as your name) in open-text answers. If this happens, identifying information will be removed before the data is stored on McMaster University’s OneDrive.

What personal information will you collect?

We may ask optional questions about things like your gender, province, or job role. This helps us understand if different groups value guideline topics differently. You can skip these questions if you prefer not to answer them.

To make sure this research study follows rules and ethical standards, research oversight groups (such as the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board) or the sponsor, may review the research data. By taking part, you allow this review.

How will my data be used?

Your answers to the survey will be used only for research. They will help to decide which topics are included in the guidelines. The results may be summarized and shared in reports, presentations, or scientific journals. Your individual answers will never be shared or linked to you.

If I have any questions or problems, who can I contact?

If you have any questions about this survey, contact our team at gradeadm@mcmaster.ca. You have not waived any legal rights by agreeing to participate. 

This study has been reviewed by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HIREB). The HIREB is responsible for ensuring that participants are informed of the risks associated with the research, and that participants are free to decide if participation is right for them. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, please call the Office of the Chair, Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board at 905.521.2100 x 42013.

CONSENT: By continuing with this survey, you show that you have read this information, understand it, and agree to take part. When you finish and submit the survey, it means you are giving your consent to participate.