EIS 301.3 – Fit for Purpose: How to Know if Your RWD is Ready-to-Wear?

Fit for Purpose: How to Know If Your RWD Is Ready to Wear

When we talk about real-world data (RWD) in oncology, one of the most important, but often overlooked, questions is this: Is this data fit for purpose?

In other words, is it ready to wear, or does it need a little tailoring… or should it be left on the rack altogether?

Fashion First: Off-the-Rack, Tailored, or Tossed

Photo by Anete Lusina

Imagine walking into a store and spotting a blazer. You try it on.

Sometimes it fits perfectly right off the rack. ✔️
Sometimes it needs a few alterations. ✂️
And sometimes, no matter what you do, it’s just not your style or size. 🛑

Real-world data is no different. There are three possible outcomes when evaluating if a dataset is “fit for purpose”:

Ready to Wear: The data fits your research question with minimal effort. The variables are complete, outcomes are valid, and the population is appropriate.
Needs Tailoring: The data is promising but requires transformation like linkage, validation, or advanced analytics to be credible.
Not the Right Fit: The data simply doesn’t align with the use case. No amount of tailoring will make it work.

Knowing which category your data falls into can save you time, resources, and (most importantly) credibility.

Tailoring the Evidence: An Oncology Example

Let’s say you’re studying outcomes for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors. You pull a real-world dataset.

Ready to Wear? If HER2 status is well-documented, treatment dates are precise, and progression events are clearly captured, you’re golden.
Needs Tailoring? If HER2 status is missing in 25% of cases and progression is inconsistently documented, but could be inferred using validated algorithms, then you’re likely in good shape with the right tailoring.
Not the Right Fit? If key variables like metastatic status, treatment dates, or outcomes are missing entirely or systematically biased, then it may be time to choose a different dataset.

Fit-for-Purpose Is a Strategic Process

Just like a tailor doesn’t hem a wedding gown the same way they adjust casual jeans, your fit-for-purpose assessment should reflect the stakes:

Regulatory submissions? Expect couture-level precision.
Internal insights? A sharp ready-to-wear piece might suffice, with minor alterations.
Equity-focused research? Prioritize whether the “fit” includes diverse populations and relevant social drivers of health.

Closing Thoughts: Make Evidence Work for You

Real-world data isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s all about the fit. With every dataset, ask yourself:

Is it ready to wear?
Can it be tailored?
Or should I keep looking?

Because just like fashion, evidence works best when it’s made to measure.

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From fashion to film, real-world data to real life, we’re here to make complex cancer concepts accessible, memorable, and empowering.

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