What are the benefits of Clinical Trials?

One of the greatest advantages the Webber Cancer Center can offer patients is providing the most up-to-date cancer treatments.  Patients are encouraged to consider participating in clinical research studies, widely believed to be the best option for individuals with cancer. Clinical trials are research studies conducted with healthy individuals or those diagnosed with cancer, to answer specific questions about the effectiveness of new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat cancer. 

St. John Macomb Hospital and the Webber Cancer Center are members of the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP).  The CCOP was established by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1983.  Through this program, community physicians work with scientists conducting NCI-supported clinical trials.

Patients and physicians in the community, as well as scientists in the research centers, benefit from participation in the CCOP.  This program helps to transfer the latest research findings to the community level.  The CCOP increases the number of patients and physicians who can participate in clinical trials operated at the major research centers, allowing scientists the opportunity to conduct large-scale cancer prevention and control studies.

What is the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium (MCRC)?

Locally, St. John Macomb Hospital is a member of the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium (MCRC) CCOP, which includes St. John Hospital and Medical Center - Detroit, St. Joseph Mercy Health System – Ann Arbor, Hurley Medical Center – Flint, Genesys Regional Medical Center – Flint, Genesys - Hurley Cancer Institute – Flint, Sparrow Health System – Lansing and St. Mary’s Medical Center – Saginaw.

The MCRC membership offers participation in clinical trials sponsored by the following research centers, giving the Webber Cancer Center access to nearly 100 clinical trials:

• North Central Clinical Trials Group (NCCTG)
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
• Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)
• National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Program (NSABP)
• University of Michigan CCOP Research Base
• Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
• MD Anderson (MDA)

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that evaluates new options in an effort to determine the most effective way to treat or prevent cancer.  The purpose of a clinical trial is to determine whether a new treatment option is safe, effective and better than the standard of care.  Standard of care is a treatment option that has been proven effective and is currently being used.  Today’s clinical trials lead to tomorrow’s standard of care.

It is through clinical trials that the greatest amount of information has been learned about cancer treatments presently being used.  Clinical trials provide a way to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a promising new treatment or further evaluate standard treatments so that better treatments may become available.

Participation in clinical trials is voluntary.  Choosing to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision.  To assist you in making an informed decision, the links to specific information on the National Cancer Institute web site will provide you with detailed information about clinical trials.

Deciding Whether to Participate in Clinical Trials

Understanding Clinical Trials

If you would like to identify some trial options, the following link will assist you:

Clinical Trials Nationwide

If you would like to contact the clinical trials staff to ask questions about specific trials, call 1-888-5WEBBER  (1 888-593-2237).