Newswise — The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has published the new patient information brochure Understanding Clinical Trials: Facts to Help Patients Make an Informed Decision. The brochure is intended to help people living with cancer and their families better understand clinical trials.
Clinical trials are research studies involving people that test new ways to treat and prevent cancer. All of today's standard cancer treatments are a result of clinical trials completed years ago. They are sponsored by organizations or individuals looking for better treatments for cancer or new ways to prevent or detect cancer. Clinical trials are available through oncologists everywhere " not just in major cities or in large hospitals. Patients interested in participating in a trial should talk to their radiation oncologist to find out what trials are available.
"In order to find out the best, most effective cancer treatments, oncologists throughout the country conduct research studies called clinical trials.
Unfortunately, many patients do not participate in this vital trials because they don't know enough about these studies or how to participate," said Louis Harrison, M.D., Chair of the ASTRO Communications Committee and a radiation oncologist at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. "With this brochure, we hope to give patients the facts they need to decide whether a clinical trial is right for them."
Patients and patient advocacy organizations can request free copies of the brochure by calling Beth Bukata or Nick Lashinsky at 1-800-962-7876 or e-mailing [email protected] or [email protected]. The brochure can also be viewed online at http://www.astro.org/patient/.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.
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