Clinical trials
We believe that the best cancer care is available on a clinical trial. We have been hard at work opening cutting edge trials to bring the most exciting new treatment options to the women in our region.
At the time of writing this we have more gynecologic cancer trials available than anyone else in Louisiana.
Trials are a tremendous opportunity for cancer survivors, physicians and researchers to work together to improve your care and care of women like you in the future. You should never feel forced to participate in a trial; we simply want you to have the opportunity to participate. Allow us to take a moment to set the record straight on some common concerns about trial participation.
Setting the record straight.
Why are clinical trials important?
Clinical trial participation is an opportunity for you to get the most out of your cancer treatments.
- Women who participate in gynecologic cancer trials have access to new drugs and treatments before they are available to others.
- Trial participants are monitored extremely closely by clinical trial researchers.
- On trial, you will have close and frequent access to clinical trials nurses.
Clinical trial participation is a way that you can help others.
- Your participation on trial allow us to continue to improve the ways we prevent, diagnose and treat cancers in the future.
- Examples of such successes include but are not limited to:
- The addition of chemotherapy to radiation to increase our ability to cure cervical cancer (GOG120, 109)
- Platinum and taxane chemotherapy was found to be better than platinum and cyclophosphamide when treating ovarian cancer. (GOG111)
- Minimally invasive surgery for staging of endometrial cancer does not compromise cancer outcomes but results in a safer, faster recovery from surgery (LAP2 trial)
Common misconceptions about clinical trials
FALSE: Clinical trials are only useful for patients when all other treatment options have been exhausted.
TRUE: Whenever possible, at any point in time, we want our patients to be on clinical trials. Patients outcomes are better when on clinical trials then when not on trial and we want the best for each of our patients.
FALSE: If I participate I will be a guinea pig.
TRUE: You will not be a guinea pig. Trial participation is a win-win situation. You will be bravely and generously helping us improving cancer care for others. You will also have the benefit of access to the highest quality treatments, often much earlier than anyone else. Any new treatments you are offered will have been studied extensively prior to being offered to you and many safety measures are in place. You will be closely monitored by your doctor, clinical trials nursing team, and clinical trial monitor if you enroll in a trial
FALSE: Women of color and other underrepresented groups are put on trial more frequently and participating on trial is disproportionately dangerous for them.
TRUE: Today, the opposite is true. Often minority patients are less represented in clinical trials. Newer data suggests that trial participation narrows healthcare disparities; when certain groups that often experience poorer outcomes participate on trial, their outcomes are closer to those experienced by traditionally more privileged groups. In other words, clinical trial participation may create a more fair playing field.
If you want to learn more:
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The Foundation for Women's Cancer has some great materials available on their website.
Foundation for Women's Cancer “Clinical Trials Basics” website
Foundation for Women's Cancer Video “Gynecologic Cancer Clinical Trials: What this means for you.”