Research

Fifty years ago, only one person in four survived cancer. Today, nearly half of all Americans who develop cancer will survive the disease. Much of the progress made in cancer survival is a direct result of scientific research aimed at early detection, better diagnostic methods and more effective treatment.

Hope begins here … where research studies contribute to the cure of cancer.

Research Affiliates

To accomplish this goal the Center partners with many research groups across the nation including:

Children’s Oncology Group (COG) http://www.children'soncologygroup.org
Cancer Trials Support Unit http://www.ctsu.org/
Cancer and Leukemia Group B http://www.calgb.org/
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group http://www.ecog.org/
Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) http://www.swog.org/
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Program (NSABP) http://www.nsabp.pitt.edu
GYN Oncology Group (GOG) http://www.gog.org/
NCI’s Clinical Trials Support Group (CTSU)
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) http://www.rtog.org/
Puget Sound Oncology Consortium (PSOC) http://www.fhcrc.org/donating/examples/funds/psoc
University of Washington
Washington State University
WSU Cancer Prevention Research Center http://www.cprc.wsu.edu/
Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Center http://www.sarahcannon.com/
National Cancer Institute http://www.nci.nih.gov/

Questions and Answers

What are cancer clinical trials?
Clinical trials, also called research studies or protocols, test new treatments in people with cancer. The goal is to find better ways to treat cancer and help cancer patients. Clinical trials test many types of treatment such as new drugs, new approaches to surgery and radiation therapy or new methods such as gene therapy. The goal of treatment may be to cure, extend life expectancy or improve quality of life.

What are the pros and cons to participation?
While a clinical trial is a good choice for some people, this treatment option has possible benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits:

Offers high-quality care. If you are in a study and do not receive the new treatment being tested, you will receive the best standard treatment. This may be as good as, or better than, the new approach.
If the new treatment approach is proven to work, and you are taking it, you may be among the first to benefit.
You have the chance to help others and improve cancer treatment.
Nationally prominent oncologists (cancer doctors) create and monitor the treatment plan.

Possible drawbacks:

New treatments under study are not always better than or even as good as standard of care. They may have side effects doctors do not expect or that are worse than those of standard treatment.
Even if a new treatment has benefits, it may not work for you. Even standard treatments, proven effective for many people, do not help everyone.
If you receive standard treatment instead of the new treatment being tested, it may not be as effective as the new approach.

Can I leave a clinical trial at any time?
Absolutely! Patients are not locked into clinical trials. They may leave at any time. Your doctor may remove you if he or she feels it is medically neccessary.

How do I decide what’s best for me or for my loved one?
Being diagnosed with cancer and choosing a treatment can be overwhelming. It is important for you to discuss all your options with your physicians and those close to you.

As you consider a trial, remember that you are not alone. At Providence, cancer research nurse, as well as your physicians, can assist you in understanding the treatment options your physician recommends. She can help you make a list of questions to ask your doctor and give you additional information if you wish. Feel free to bring your spouse or other family members or close friends to your appointments.

Tumor Registry

When cancer touches a life, there are many questions the patient and family may want answered. Why did this happen? Which treatment is best?

Oncologists are able to answer many of these questions based on important cancer research. A vital part of that research involves analysis of information compiled by the tumor registry. The primary function of the tumor registry is to collect information on each cancer patient diagnosed at Providence Cancer Center. Each year approximately 1600 new cases are diagnosed and maintained in a database that includes over 56,000 cases. Each patient is followed annually. This information is a valuable resource for physicians when evaluating current cancer treatment, response to treatment and patient survival.

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