“Blood clots are one of many things cancer patients have to worry about. Research can help ensure we provide them with the best possible care,” - Dr. Tzu-Fei Wang.When hematologist Dr. Tzu-Fei Wang is deciding on the best way to treat a patient’s blood clot, she’ll ask whether they are taking any other medications. A quick check of an online database confirms whether these medications interact poorly with any blood thinning treatments. 

Unfortunately for cancer patients, a lot is yet to be learned about these drug interactions. Dr. Wang wants to improve their care by studying the outcomes of patients taking targeted anticancer therapies in addition to a newer kind of blood thinner called direct-oral anticoagulants (DOACs). 

Her findings could help provide more data in this area and guide treatment decisions for cancer patients around the world.  She is also interested in optimizing care in challenging situations, such as the use of blood thinners in cancer patients with a low platelet count. 

In addition, Dr. Wang is interested in providing the best blood clot care to people living with obesity. Currently the dose of DOAC is the same regardless of a patient’s weight, and Dr. Wang wants to reassure patients and physicians through a large study that this approach is safe and effective.

Dr. Wang was recently appointed as an associate scientist in the Clinical Epidemiology Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. She is a hematologist and thrombosis physician at The Ottawa Hospital and associate professor at the University of Ottawa.

“Blood clots are one of many things cancer patients have to worry about. Research can help ensure we provide them with the best possible care,” said Dr. Wang.

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa.   

Media Contact 
Amelia Buchanan
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Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca