The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center published an article in its September 2005 about the important contribution that the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope is making to boosting participation in cancer clinical trials. According to the article:
The challenge of increasing trial participation is great. Of the 1.3 million Americans diagnosed with cancer (of all types) each year, only about 3% participate in clinical trials, {Maurie Markman, M.D. Anderson Vice President of Clinical Research} says: “If only 3% of our population continues to participate in clinical research trials, that�s going to slow down our ability to gather critical information to help the next generation of cancer patients.”
New drugs and new combinations of existing drugs need testing to improve cancer survival rates.
“The only way to know if any of the exciting new drugs are safe and if they are more effective than current treatment is to do trials,” Markman says. “We�re on the brink of a potential revolution in our understanding and treatment of cancer. We understand more about biology today, about unlocking the secrets of cancerous tumors, than we could have ever imagined 10 years ago. However, it�s slow, meticulous work that demands the absolute protection of patients who potentially are going to be research subjects. There is no cutting corners, period.”
The article goes on to point out obstacles to clinical trial participation and the potential for immediate and long term victories against cancer through greater participation in clinical trials. This is why we’re all riding in The Tour of Hope.
The Tour of Hope will stop at the M.D. Anderson in Houston on October 3. If you are in Houston, you can be there and make the promise.
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