Research Trials

Oklahomans diagnosed with cancer do not have to incur the expense of travel away from the state or experience the anxiety of separation from family and friends who reside here in order to receive the most up to date treatments in cancer therapy. CCA participates in clinical trials to provide Oklahomans with the latest developments in cancer research.

What is a Clinical Trial? A clinical trial is a research study conducted in collaboration with the cancer patient to evaluate new treatments. The studies are designed to find new and better ways to treat cancer and improve quality of care.

*2007 ended with CCA numbered among the highest accruers in three studies across the United States. A total of 147 patients were put into open triall studies which marked an 18.5% increase over the previous year.

"Almost all of the clinical advances in oncology have come about because of trials, " says Dr. Vikki Canfield, CCA President. "There are so many exciting treatments on the horizon thanks to clinical trials. Not only do clinical trialls improve survival rates, they also contribute to lower cancer recurrence rates, new treatment approaches for cancers that have no effective therapy, fewer side effects and a better quality of life. With clinical trials, patients have access to some of the newest and most effective drugs and treatments which are otherwise not available to them."

Cancer Care Associates and the OU Cancer Institute are currently forming an Oklahoma Cancer Consortium to assist in this process by making more trials available and affordable. Dr. Canfield adds, "By joining together, we will be able to increase the availability of cancer trials and the number of trials in the state. "