| At the Sparta Cancer Center, we offer clinical
trials, because when you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it is
important to know every treatment option available for the most complete
care. We currently offer 25 clinical trials whose protocols
contain radiation, chemotherapy or both, for many different types of
cancer. The Center also provides supportive and observational
trials.
Clinical trials for supportive care explore ways
to improve the comfort and quality of life of cancer patients and cancer
survivors, such as studying ways to help prevent or manage nausea, pain,
sleep disorders, depression, or other effects from cancer or its
treatment.
In an observational study, the investigators
observe the subjects and measure their outcomes. For instance,
patients on this type of study may keep a diary of their symptoms or
feelings.
The Sparta Cancer Center's research program was
established in 2006. Our program started with an affiliation with
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Through TJUH, we are able to offer our patients many
Cooperative Group studies (RTOG, ECOG, NSABP, SWOG and CTSU).
Although the acronyms can be confusing, the easy part for you to
understand is that a Cooperative Group is a research project of the
National Cancer Institute that brings together many investigators from
hospitals and academic research centers throughout the United States.
In addition to Cooperative Group studies, we are a
member of Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network (ACORN) based
out of Memphis, Tennessee. ACORN allows us to participate in
pharmaceutical industry trials. Through ACORN, we have access to
many new chemotherapy agents that are being studied for FDA Approval.
For example, our center was one of the original sixty-six centers in the
United States selected to participate in a highly coveted Phase III
trial for triple negative breast cancer. Because of this trial,
and the women's strong desire to participate in research, many of them
traveled from within the tri-state region to our center.
So, what are the benefits of getting involved with
research? First, you may have access to new drugs before they are
available to the public. Your healthcare is closely monitored by a
research team which consists of doctors, nurses, clinical research
coordinators and even radiologists. You, as a patient, perform a
more active role in your healthcare and may be among the first to
benefit if the approach being studied is found to be helpful. It
can also be your own opportunity to make a valuable contribution to
cancer research.
For additional information about clinical
research, these links may be helpful:
http://www.kimmelcancercenter.org/jkccn/
www.clinicaltrials.gov
www.acornresearch.net
Please feel free to contact our research
associates, Megan Frugone, RN or Christine L. Lyasko, RN, at
973-729-8801, or email us at
research@spartacancer.com.
Megan Frugon, RN is currently a Research Associate
at Sparta Cancer Center. She has been a Registered Nurse for 9
years and a Research Associate for 4 years. Megan has been with
the research program at Sparta Cancer Center since it began.
Christine L. Lyasko, RN has been a Research
Associate at Sparta Cancer Center for the past 3 years. She has
been a Registered Nurse practicing in different fields of Oncology for
16 years. Of those 16 years, the past 5 years have been focused in
Oncology Research.
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