Introduction

Cancer research plays a vital role in answering scientific questions on how to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. You’ve probably heard the term “clinical trials” when people talk about progress in cancer research. A clinical trial is a study to evaluate a new treatment and will hopefully lead to new findings that can help many people.

We take part in clinical trials through the Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG), the National Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP, and various other National Cancer Institute- sponsored trials. In addition, our relationship with US Oncology affords us another point of access to other clinical trials not captured by other co-operative groups. Pharmaceutical companies also work with respected cancer practices to participate in cutting edge research projects.

Entry into a study depends on meeting all eligibility criteria. Our research nurses and data manager assist the physicians to determine eligibility for protocols and are available to answer any questions related to research.

Currently, there are hundreds of ongoing clinical trials in the United States. Although clinical trials are an important component of cancer care and are crucial for improving cancer treatment, fewer than 5% of cancer patients currently participate in clinical trials because they are uninterested or unaware that they exist, have difficulty finding an appropriate clinical trial that may be of benefit to them, or are ineligible to participate in a clinical trial because of prior treatment interventions.

To learn more about clinical trials, please click on any of the subcategories.