Dr. Groome is the Canada Research Chair in Cancer Care Evaluation, an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen’s University, and a Senior Scientist in the Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology at the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute. She is also the first Site Director of the new ICES-Queen’s Health Services Research Facility.

Controversy in the Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: "Can 75% of Surgeons be Wrong?" Principal Investigator: Hall S; Co-Investigators: Groome P, Houlden RL, Irish J, Kent WD, Isotoalo PA, George R, Driedger A, Shelley W, Archibald S, Feldman-Stewart, Institutes of Health Research. 2007-2010.

This project assess the variation in overall management and the effectiveness of treatment policies for all patients but will focus on the management of small tumors where the controversy is greatest and the evidence is most lacking.  When asked for evidence supporting aggressive surgical management for patients with known low risk disease, a prominent thyroid expert quoted the results of a national survey that showed 75% of patients with early stage disease had total thyroidectomy and simply replied, “Can 75% of surgeons be wrong?” As small tumors make up almost all of the cases responsible for the seeming increasing incidence of thyroid cancer and as the natural history of small tumors is unknown, the need for evidence for surgeons, patients and providers is becoming more urgent.

Identifying factors associated with functional decline in older women living with breast cancer: development and validation of a self-reported risk profile (SRRP).  Principle Investigator: Tranmer J; Co-Investigators: Groll D, Groome PA, Day A, Green E, Luctkar-Flude M, Postill W, Robb-Blenderman L, Madarnas Y. Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. 2005-2008. 

Early detection, treatment variations and treatment delay in cancers of the oral cavity.  Principle Investigator: Groome PA; Co-Investigators: Browman G, Hall SF, Irish J, Mackillop WJ, O’Sullivan B.  Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Grant # MOP 67096).  2004-2007.   

A population-based retrospective cohort study of patients with squamous carcinomas of the mobile tongue and floor of mouth, the two most common cancer subsites in the oral cavity. The study population consisted of all 2519 patients diagnosed in Ontario over ten years: 1991 through 2000. Data from our linked Cancer Database (comprising the registry, electronic clinical data, hospital discharge records, and census socio-economic indicators), will be enhanced with data from a province-wide retrospective chart review. The study objectives were: Early Detection: 1. To assess the associations between disease stage and phenomena that may compromise early diagnosis including: access to care, patient characteristics and living circumstances, and disease characteristics.  Treatment Variations: 2. To describe case mix, treatment patterns and outcomes across the geographic regions of Ontario, over time, and among clinically-distinct subgroups. 3. To identify best practices by assessing the impact of aspects of practice on the differences in outcome observed between Cancer Care Ontario Regions. Treatment Delay: 4. To describe wait times for surgery and radiotherapy and the association with treatment outcomes.