New register gives cancer patients easyaccess to clinical trials |
 |
July 13, 2009
A new web-based register of cancer clinical trials aims to boost the number of Western Australian patients participating in clinical trials.
The Western Australian Cancer Clinical Trials Register (WACCTR) is an initiative of the Cancer Council WA and the Western Australian Clinical Oncology Group, who like many national and international cancer organisations, believe that where possible, the best clinical management for cancer patients is in a clinical trial.
It’s the first time that a comprehensive register of the cancer clinical trials being undertaken in WA hospitals has been compiled and made available to patients as well as clinicians.
“This website has been created in response to patient and clinician demand for more information on the clinical trails open in WA,” said the Cancer Council’s Professor of Clinical Trials, Michael Millward.
“Historically, participation in clinical trials is low with one barrier being a lack of awareness about the trials being conducted. We hope this website will change that.”
Patients on clinical trials benefit from having access to new promising therapies often not available to patients generally.
They are also closely monitored by a team of researchers, doctors and other health care professionals throughout the trial.
“We know that clinical trials are the most effective way of improving cancer treatment.
“Patients who enter clinical trials may have better survival and quality of life outcomes compared to patients who do not participate in trials. This means Western Australian cancer patients have the potential to get direct personal benefit from being part of a clinical trial.
“Many patients also feel that by participating in a trial, they are able to help others in the future,” Professor Millward said.
It’s estimated that fewer than 3% of cancer patients in WA are on clinical trials.
“We hope that this register makes it easier for people to find out what’s happening locally and in turn increase in the number of patients wanting to be part of a clinical trial.”
The WACCTR includes trials from a wide range of cancer treatment areas including chemotherapy, radiation methods, surgical procedures, preventive measures and lifestyle.
The register is at www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/clinicaltrials/wacctr/
