Clinical trials are people-based studies of new drugs, vaccines, diagnostic procedures, treatments and other therapies. Doctors use clinical trials to learn whether a new treatment is safe and effective in patients. According to the American Cancer Society, these studies are vital to the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer.
Partnered with St. Louis-Cape Girardeau Community Clinic Oncology Program for the last 15 years, Saint Anthony’s Oncology Department has been conducting clinical trials to ensure that new treatments for cancer are continuously being pursued.
“Without clinical trials, we would not have seen the advancements in cancer treatments that we have seen in the last ten years,” said Beth Waugh, RN, BSN, OCN, Supervisor of Oncology Services at Saint Anthony’s Cancer Center of Excellence. “Participants of the clinical trials have access to promising new approaches that are often not available outside the clinical trial setting.”
“There are thousands of people who are helped each year because they decided to take part in a clinical trial, not to mention the millions who ultimately benefit from others’ participation in clinical trials,” said James Piephoff, M.D., Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director of Saint Anthony’s Cancer Center of Excellence. “Clinical trials show what works and what does not work in medicine. They are the best way for doctors to learn what is safe and effective in treating diseases such as cancer.”
An obstacle facing clinical trial research is the shortage of people to take part in the trials. One of the main reasons that people do not participate could be attributed to a general unawareness of the studies and their benefits.
“At Saint Anthony’s we work with the Medical Oncologists and Radiation Oncologists to find patients to participate in the clinical trials,” said Beth. “We have 30-40 trials open at a time. A patient is screened by their doctor and then further investigation is needed to see if the patient meets all the requirements of the study.”
Besides helping others in the future with the same disease, a participant may have access to treatment that is not otherwise available. Treatment trials offer the most advanced innovations and scientific thinking in cancer care. The National Cancer Institute sponsors and regulates many of the clinical trials to ensure that all safety precautions are being taken.
“Participants receive regular and careful medical attention from a research team that includes doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals from Saint Anthony’s Cancer Center of Excellence.”
There is much more research to be done along the way of finding a cure for cancer and many other diseases -- and clinical trials are one more way to help further medical research.
For information on clinical trials, please call Saint Anthony’s Cancer Center of Excellence, located at Saint Clare’s Hospital, 915 East Fifth Street, at 618/463-5623.