“Offering participation in clinical trials is now standard of care in discussing treatment options with cancer patients. We are conducting multiple nationally-based clinical trials in radiation and medical oncology at Lancaster General,” states Jeffrey S. Eshleman, M.D., Radiation Oncologist with Lancaster Radiology Associates.

 

In any field of medicine, progress in medical research is accomplished through properly conducted clinical trials.  This is best exemplified in oncology, where most treatment recommendations come from knowledge gained from past clinical trials.   

 

LGH is a founding member of the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network which provides access to contemporary clinical research.  Poor participation in clinical trials is a national crisis.

 

Studies show that physicians routinely underestimate patient eligibility and over-estimate the risk of clinical trials.  Participation in clinical trials allows patients opportunities to receive access to potentially cutting edge treatment.  Society benefits as well from improvements in overall cancer outcomes with the knowledge obtained from well designed trials.

 

LGH’s cancer program’s goal for 2008 is the enrollment of 50 patients in national cooperative group trials.  Successful research in the community requires a team approach.  LGH’s cancer program provides a wide complement of trials to meet specific patient needs.  Involvement of the patient’s entire cancer treatment team, including the primary care physician and surgeon, is necessary to achieve our goals. “Receiving the message from the first physician a patient sees at the time of cancer diagnosis that a clinical trial might be the right approach is a powerful and influential message,” notes Randall A. Oyer, M.D., Oncology Program Director.

 

Physicians can access information regarding clinical trials as follows: