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Clinical Trials
All medications available today have gone through clinical trials. We now
have effective treatments for hundreds of diseases directly due to patients
participating in clinical trials.
A clinical trial is a study designed to answer a scientific question. Clinical
trials evaluate new treatments, new drug combinations, investigate ways to
prevent cancer, make earlier diagnoses, and look at the impact of cancer
treatment on patient's quality of life.
Clinical trials can give patients access to new drugs long before they are
approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and available to the
public.
Advances in cancer treatment have occurred because of the knowledge gained
through clinical trials that test new and better ways to treat cancer patients.
If your doctor feels it is appropriate for you to enter into a clinical trial,
an informed consent document will be provided to you. The informed consent
provides written information about the clinical trial, including potential
benefits and risks associated with the research. Participation in all clinical
trials is voluntary. Patients participate in clinical trials for various
reasons. These may include a hope for a cure, a longer time to live, a way to
feel better, or to contribute to research to help others.
Hematology Oncology, PC. has had an active clinical trial (research)
department for over 20 years. Trials have been conducted in cooperation with
pharmaceutical companies, National Cancer Institute, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative
Oncology Group), SWOG (Southwest Oncology Group), Yale New Haven Hospital,
Columbia Presbyterian, Westchester Medical Center, and NSABP (National Surgical
Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project).
Our office maintains dedicated, trained research staff to conduct and promote
high quality clinical research. Our commitment and sincere hope is to provide
potentially promising therapies to patients through research. This section
provides you with information regarding the clinical trial (research) process.
Your physician will discuss clinical trials with you if one is appropriate for
you.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are studies that test new ways to treat cancer or the side
effects from the cancer treatment. The goal of all clinical trials is to find
better treatments for cancer patients. Clinical trials can also test new
surgeries and radiation therapies.
Clinical trial research is the process by which new treatments are approved by
the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in the general public. Before a
medication or procedure can be approved by the FDA, it must be tested to make
sure that it is safe and effective. All drugs used in the treatment of cancer
today were approved by this same process.
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