What Are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are scientific studies that try to answer important healthcare questions. In Oncology, clinical trials are used to discover better and faster ways to treat and cure cancer. These studies are designed, reviewed and continually evaluated for participant’s protection over the life of the trial.
There are 3 phases of cancer clinical trials. Phase I trials look at how an agent (drug) affects humans and what dose (amount of drug) is safe. Phase II trials determine an agent’s effectiveness on the cancer. Phase III trials compare their results to already proven helfpul standard treatments.
NHOH and Clinical Research
NHOH has been active in clinical research since the early 1980’s. Our research department presently has many clinical trials for enrollment for most types of cancer. We currently have thousands of patients enrolled in our clinical trials database. NHOH workscollaboratively with regional cancer centers and national oncology research groups. Please speak with your NHOH provider about any open clinical trials, or contact the Research Department at NHOH for more information about our program.
Types Of Cancer
The type of cancer one has generally refers to the organ or area of the body where the cancer first occurred. Cancer that has metastasized to other areas of the body is named for the part of the body where it originated. For example, if breast cancer has spread to the bones, it is called “metastatic breast cancer” not bone cancer.
Cancer.Net offers individualized guides for more than 120 types of cancer and related hereditary syndromes. Each guide provides comprehensive, oncologist-approved information on: Overview, Medical Illustrations, Risk Factors, Prevention, Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis, Stages, Treatment Options, About Clinical Trials, Coping with Side Effects, After Treatment, Latest Research, Questions to Ask the Doctor, and Additional Resources.
To learn about a specific type of cancer, its risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and more, please click on the link below to access Cancer.Net
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types
Throughout your cancer journey, you will likely encounter a large number of tests that aid in the diagnosis, staging or evaluation of disease progression. These tests may be in the form of a laboratory test, biopsy, radiologic evaluation, endoscopy, etc…. Often, patients are evaluated at the time of their diagnosis and then at defined intervals throughout their treatment plan.
Below is a link to Cancer.Net, which describes a fair number of diagnostic tests and when they are used.
http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/tests-and-procedures
