Clinical trials are scientific studies of how a new medicine or treatment works in people. Through these studies, doctors find new and better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, control, and treat cancer.
All clinical trials available through the
PinnacleHealth Cancer Center are approved by PinnacleHealth’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) to assure that the studies follow established research ethics criteria for the protection of participants.
How do I participate in a clinical trial?
Participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary and must be done in consultation with the specialists involved in establishing your treatment plan. If they feel one of the current studies is right for you, they will arrange for the Oncology Clinical Trials research nurse to meet with you and your family to talk about the study and what it means to participate.
These appointments can be scheduled quickly, often on the same day you meet with your physician. You are given time to carefully consider all the facts before enrolling in the trial, and you may leave the trial at any time.
What to Consider When Deciding if a Clinical Trial is Right for You
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Your case receives close surveillance by many doctors and researchers
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You have access to treatments involving new agents without traveling outside of the community
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You contribute to a body of research that will help other cancer patients in the future
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Medications from the study are brought directly to your treatment location
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The Oncology Clinical Trials research nurse monitors your treatment and all lab results and assures that you are kept informed of any changes or results from the trial
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You may have more doctor and lab visits than patients who are not in a clinical trial
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There is no guarantee that the treatment will have a greater benefit than the standard of care
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There may be unusual side effects
Click here to view our current clinical trials or for more information contact the Oncology Clinical Trials Research Nurse at
(717) 724-6765.