CLINICAL TRIALS ARE “ TOMORROW ’ S STANDARD OF CARE .” WHEN PATIENTS PARTICIPATE IN A CLINICAL TRIAL , THEY MAY RECEIVE CARE THAT WILL BE THE STANDARD 10 YEARS LATER .
Cancer clinical trials are research studies in which volunteers participate in finding new ways to prevent , diagnose , and treat cancer . Patient participation is critical to the success of clinical trials . Although the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center typically has continuous patient enrollment , participation has declined in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic . “ This reflects what ’ s going on in clinical trials across the country ,” said Jonathan Cho , MD , Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office . “ There are several potential reasons , including workforce , patient attitudes , and telehealth .”
As the pandemic recedes and restrictions lessen , the UH Cancer Center looks to ramp up enrollment by increasing awareness about the importance of cancer clinical trials through public education . “ We are hopeful that since we are in a post-pandemic period , trial participation will increase ,” said Dr . Cho . “ The UH Cancer Center is also looking at expanding access to the neighbor islands and increasing the number of trials available to the residents of our state .”
EVERYONE SHOULD CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN CLINICAL TRIALS . FOR PATIENTS WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS , A CLINICAL TRIAL MAY OFFER THE CHANCE OF RECEIVING BETTER
TREATMENT FOR THEIR CANCER .
– JONATHAN CHO , MD
The UH Cancer Center currently provides access to 85 cancer clinical trials and remains dedicated to investigating new ways of delivering cancer care to Hawai ‘ i ’ s multi-ethnic population — often underrepresented nationwide in clinical trials . As a result , Hawai ‘ i can potentially contribute significantly to expanding the knowledge of how various cancer therapies affect different races , including minority populations .
Clinical trials offer patients access to cutting-edge treatments and provide the highest level of care . Outcomes from these trials can result in more patients being cured , living longer , and improving cancer patients ’ overall quality of life .
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