Accessing targeted therapies for cancer: self and collective advocacy alongside and beyond mainstream cancer charities

Kerr, A. , Chekar, C. K., Swallow, J., Ross, E. and Cunningham-Burley, S. (2021) Accessing targeted therapies for cancer: self and collective advocacy alongside and beyond mainstream cancer charities. New Genetics and Society, 40(1), pp. 112-131. (doi: 10.1080/14636778.2020.1868986) (PMCID:PMC8547735)

Abstract

As precision oncology has evolved, patients and their families have become more involved in efforts to access these treatments via fundraising and campaigning that take place outside of the larger cancer charities. In this paper, we explore the solidarities, networks, and emotional work of the UK-based access advocates, drawing on the stories of nine advocates, which included interviews and content analyses of their social media posts and coverage of their case in news, commentary, and fundraising websites. We consider the emotional and knowledge work of building networks that spanned consumerist and activist agendas, forged individual and collective goals, and orientations toward the public, private, and third sectors as part of securing support and access. Through these various practices, the actors we have studied cultivated personal advantage and solidarities with other patients and advocates, and in so doing engaged in self and collective advocacy alongside and beyond mainstream cancer charities.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kerr, Professor Anne and Chekar, Dr Choon Key
• Authors: Kerr, A., Chekar, C. K., Swallow, J., Ross, E., and Cunningham-Burley, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: New Genetics and Society
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1463-6778
• ISSN (Online): 1469-9915
• Published Online: 17 January 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in New Genetics and Society 40(1): 112-131
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
311196		Translations and transformations in patienthood: cancer in the post-genomics era	Elizabeth Anne Kerr	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	104832/B/14/Z	S&PS - Sociology