The physicians and staff at Regional Cancer Care actively participate in clinical cancer research. It is through clinical research that improvements or advances are made in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, as well as improvements in controlling the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment.

What are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are the way in which new tests, drugs, techniques or combinations of treatments are developed to become the standard of care over time. Physicians and researchers continue to search for better options for both patients with cancer and people who are at risk for developing cancer. For some cancers with few treatment options, clinical research hopes to identify therapies which will surpass current treatment options. Successes could include increased effectiveness, fewer side effects or more patients responding to a particular treatment.

Who can participate in a Clinical Trial?

Many cancer patients in Northwestern Ontario have the opportunity to participate in clinical research. Your oncologist will review all treatment options available to you based on your own circumstances, one of which could include participation in a clinical trial. To determine if you are able to participate, your oncologist will consider the type and stage of your cancer, your age, your general condition and the trials that are available.

Click here for more information on current open trials.

How is a Clinical Trial different from standard treatment?

As with any type of medical treatment, there are risks that must be considered, whether you are participating in a clinical trial or not.

Because standard treatment has been studied already, most of the known benefits and risks can be presented to you. With a clinical trial, you may not know all of the potential benefits or risks at the time of enrolling. The aim of the study is to answer some of these questions.

As the study progresses, information may become available related to potential benefits or risks. This may require modifications to the study design. For this reason, you will be very closely monitored by your oncologist and your research nurse. Clinical Trials nurses meet regularly with patients.

Where do Clinical Trial studies come from?

Patients from Northwestern Ontario have participated in some of the largest studies ever conducted, which have shaped how we manage certain types of cancer.

A study may be conducted in multiple centres across Canada, North America, or all over the world. Any concerns about how patients are tolerating or managing their treatment are communicated virtually in real time. Any concerns with any study are known fairly quickly. This holds for not only complications, but for rapidly detectable successes as well.

Clinical research conducted at Regional Cancer Care incorporates studies offered through cooperative groups, pharmaceutical companies and some in-house research. The cooperative groups offer studies that are among the foremost in research for cancer treatment, prevention and diagnosis. Groups such as the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) or Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) often partner with cancer research leaders such as the Mayo Clinic or MD Anderson, so patients participating in these studies at RCC have access to some of the most innovative and cutting edge treatments, tests or prevention tools available.

I have been given the option to participate in a Clinical Trial. What questions should I ask about my treatment?

Your oncologist will make the best decision in determining whether or not you are able to participate in a clinical trial, but the choice is still entirely yours. Some questions you may want to ask before deciding are:

For more information about the Clinical Trials program at RCC, please call (807) 684-7233.