To order reprints please e-mail Newsweek Magazine.
Sponsor Information

The nearly 1.3 million Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year have good reasons to have more hope than fear. Throughout the world, scientists are discovering new treatments that may extend a patient's life and perhaps even cure some cancers once deemed untreatable.

Many newly diagnosed cancer patients, and those successfully fighting the disease, have a role to play in seeing those discoveries progress from the research to treatment. How? By becoming participants in one of hundreds of cancer clinical trials that each year help determine the most effective therapies.

The National Cancer Institute notes an increase in survival rates for some cancers, particularly breast and prostate, and gives credit to patients in clinical trials for some of the success. Dr. Robert Comis, president and chairman of the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, says "To continue our successful fight against cancer, we hope to include an additional 50,000 patients in clinical trials in the next three to five years, added to the 45,000 or so in trials already."

Misinformation 0ften Keeps Patients From Participating in Trials
What concerns many people about clinical trials is the idea that they might receive a placebo at a time when they want the very best drug or strategy for their disease. In fact, unlike other types of clinical trials, placebos are rarely used in cancer clinical trials, and they are never used in place of the best available treatment for a given cancer. Most cancer clinical trials test the best available treatment against one that researchers believe may be even better. For example, a new trial is now being conducted among advanced stage pancreatic cancer patients to see if a new investigational drug, Alimta, combined with Gernzar, a drug already approved to treat pancreatic and lung cancer, will improve upon the current treatment.

A Patient's Safety During a Clinical Trial is Always of Paramount Importance All trials sponsored by government agencies such as the NCI undergo an extensive scientific review and approval process before being initiated. And, U.S. regulations require that every clinical trial be monitored by an institutional review board of consumer advocates, researchers, and clinicians who go over every detail of the clinical trial before it begins, in order to ensure each patient's safety. Once enrolled, each patient is assigned to a health care professional who answers questions and stays in close con-tact throughout the trial. Participants have the right to leave a trial at any time, which will not affect a patient's medical care,

Catherine Milligan, 32, found out she had breast cancer two years ago. On the advice of her doctor, Cathy enrolled in a clinical trial to evaluate the benefit of adding docetaxel (Taxotere), given after she completed a standard two drug treatment to see if the third drug can improve her chances of remaining cancer-free for the rest of her life. She says she was not slowed down by side effects, she continued to work and travel, and stayed motivated with regular workouts. Her medical team monitored her closely. "Taking part in the trial was the best decision I made," Cathy says.

"Clinical trials serve a double purpose," says Dr. Comis, "They provide excellent treatment for the participants, and they allow participants to offer hope to other cancer patients everywhere, many of whom will directly benefit from their participation."

If you or someone you care about has cancer, the best place to begin the discussion about clinical trials is with an oncologist. Many physicians now have better access to clinical trials information for their patients, through sources such as TrialCheck, a Web-based search engine available through the Coalition.

For more information about cancer clinical trials visit the Coalition's Web site at www.thecoalition.newsweek.msnbc.com

Back    Next Page

For Free Information on Our Advertisers Click Here.