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A clinical trial is an organized research
study designed to investigate new methods of preventing,
detecting, diagnosing, or treating an illness or disease,
such as cancer. In some instances, clinical trials attempt
to improve a patient’s quality of life. When studying
cancer treatment, researchers generally attempt to determine
whether a new method of treatment is superior to the
standard (currently approved) treatment of the disease.
Clinical trials are extremely important in discovering
new techniques to fight disease. For example, many of
the advances in breast and colon cancer detection and
treatment resulted from clinical trials. These advances
include:
- Screening mammography
- The use of chemotherapy before and
after breast cancer and following colon cancer surgery
- The use of radiation after lumpectomy
and after rectal surgery
- Most cancer treatment drugs (tamoxifen,
Herceptin, Oxaliplatin, etc)
Despite the importance of clinical trials
to both patients and researchers, a recent survey by
the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) shows
that only 2% to 3% of adult patients participate in
clinical trials. Comparatively, 60% to 70% of children
with cancer are enrolled in trials. Of the 6,000 adult
cancer patients surveyed by the ASCO, 84% said they
were unaware of trials or unsure they would qualify
for participation in a trial.
For more information about clinical trials,
please visit the NCI (National Cancer Institute) website.
"Clinical
Trials: Questions and Answers" |
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