The Clinical Trials unit at Westmead Cancer Centre undertakes many clinical trials for various cancers. At any one time about 30 to 50 trials are underway.
Important things to know
- At any one time many thousands of clinical trials in cancer are underway around the world. These trials are now listed on a central registry at www.ClinicalTrials.gov
- Off course, it is impossible for our trials unit to undertake all of these trials. A list of some of the trials we are currently involved with can be found on this page. Other trials may not yet be listed. It is important to ask your specialist whether there is a trial available for you. The NSW Cancer Institute also has a registry of trials.
- Often you will hear of new 'breakthough' treatments through the media and understandably you may wish to find out more. It important to know that
- Many of these new therapies are not mature enough to be tested in humans
- The new therapy may not be appropriate for your type or stage of cancer
- Often there are trials more suited to your condition that are never aired on TV or radio. Only a tiny proportion of new therapies are talked about in the media.
- It takes about 3 months for a trial to go through all the Ethics and Scientific Committees before the study is opened for patients. This process is very important. It allows independant examination to ensure the study is safe and equitable. Please be assured that this process is rigourous and is there for your protection.
- We encourage all of our patients to take part in clinical trials because;
- You gain access to new therapies that cannot be obtained by any other means.
- Patients who take part in clinical trials generally do better than those who do not regardless of the treatment received. This is probably because extra trial staff are involved and rigourous monitoring occurs as a normal process of the trial.
- There may be a financial benefit to the patient. Trial drugs are generally provided free-of-charge. You may still bear some costs related to tests or treatments that are part of your routine care.
- What if we have no trial for you?
- Trials have eligibility criteria that restricts entry to certain cancer types, certain stages of cancer and in patients with no other serious illnesses such as heart, kidney or liver problems. Your specilaist of Trial coordinator can determine whether you are eligible.
- Sometimes another Sydney Hospital is taking part in a trial and we can refer you on. Please ask you specialist or go to www.ClinicalTrials.gov or Cancer of Intitute of NSW to find out which trials are available.
- Generally we do not recommend you travel overseas for a trial. Trials that are only available overseas are usually at an early stage of development with an uncertain safety profile or outcome. Today, clinical research is truely international and promising treatments are trialled worldwide, almost always in Australia and often at this hospital.
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