Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials

Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials

Participating in ovarian cancer clinical trials is not as simple as it sounds. Sure, you might be tempted to believe that a newfangled method of treatment will in effect cure your cancer faster or easier than the use of tried and true chemotherapy, radiation therapy or any of the other treatment options your physician is suggesting, but keep in mind that there are some distinct drawbacks to relying on clinical trials for your cancer cure!

1. First and foremost, there is a study group which will not have access to the experimental drug. In some cases those individuals may receive a placebo while in other trials they may simply receive conventional treatment. Since these patients are not aware that they are indeed in the control group, they are not able to receive the same kind of care and treatment as those who would be undergoing the conventional treatment at the behest of their physician. You will have informed consent about the limitations of the control group, and although each ovarian cancer patient hopes not to be in it, there is usually a 50-50 chance that you will be.
2. Participating in a clinical trial does not result in less but more doctors’ visits. Remember that the research facility will not only test the response of your ovarian cancer but most likely also the systemic response to the drugs they are administering. Thus you will undergo more testing, see more scientists and researchers, fill out more questionnaires, and spend more time than you might have had to allocate to conventional cancer treatment. Even though this does not have to make the clinical trials a bad experience, it is important to understand this aspect of the trial participation that is sometimes not made clear.
3. In addition to a time commitment there is also a heightened commitment to following the orders of the researchers and attending physicians. It is not possible to wing it or spend a day or so not following directions. Remember that you are now directly responsible for the accurate determination of a drug’s efficacy and failure to adhere strictly to the tenets of the study will taint the results and may in the end result in the failure of a drug to meet certain criteria, even though in itself the drug is entirely feasible. With acceptance into a clinical trial comes a high level of responsibility on a number of levels!
4. In many ways, participating in a clinical trial for treatment of your ovarian cancer puts you out of the mainstream. No longer are you following an already established path but instead you are more or less blazing your own trail. Some patients may find that they do not have what it takes to be away from the support network of those who have already undergone similar treatments and will help you know what to expect and how to deal with it.

Ovarian cancer clinical trials are ongoing and yet it requires a lot of thought and professional advice before you enter such a trial and see it through. For many this is a most rewarding experience while for others it is not what they had imagined at all.

News About Ovarian Cancer OVA1 blood test aids in pre-surgical evaluation of women for ovarian cancer n... 9 Mar 2010 at 10:57pm OVA1?, the first blood test cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for aiding in the pre-surgical evaluation of a woman's ovarian mass for cancer, is now available nationally through Quest Diagnostics, Inc., the world's leading cancer diagnostics provider. Quest Diagnostics to offer new ovarian cancer test (AP via Yahoo! News) 8 Mar 2010 at 2:00pm Medical lab operator Quest Diagnostics Inc. said Monday it is selling the OVA1 blood test, which aims to better assess a woman's likelihood for ovarian cancer. Quest Diagnostics to Offer New Ovarian Cancer Test (ABC News) 8 Mar 2010 at 4:25pm Quest Diagnostics selling presurgical ovarian cancer test, cites improved treatment potential Cancer - Ovarian cancer - Quest Diagnostics - Health - Conditions and Diseases Quest Diagnostics to offer new ovarian cancer test (San Francisco Chronicle) 8 Mar 2010 at 2:40pm Medical lab operator Quest Diagnostics Inc. said Monday it is selling the OVA1 blood test, which aims to better assess a woman's likelihood for ovarian cancer. The OVA1 test, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in September, will be sold... Quest Diagnostics - Cancer - Food & Drug Administration - Health - Conditions and Diseases OVA1 Blood Test Now Available to Aid Pre-surgical Evaluation of Women for Ova... 9 Mar 2010 at 5:06am OVA1â¢, the first blood test cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for aiding in the pre-surgical evaluation of a woman's ovarian mass for cancer, is now available nationally through Quest Diagnostics, Inc. , the world's leading cancer diagnostics provider. Nektar has positive data from ovarian cancer study (AP via Yahoo! Finance) 8 Mar 2010 at 7:47am Nektar Therapeutics on Monday reported that early results from a trial of an experimental cancer drug suggest a slowing in the progression of ovarian cancer. Study says diet may have role in ovarian cancer survival rate (The Oklahoman) 8 Mar 2010 at 3:30pm LOS ANGELES ? Mom?s admonishments to eat your fruits and vegetables should still be heeded, since a new study found that a diet high in fruits, vegetables and healthful grains may be associated with higher survival rates for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer.Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago examined data from a longitudinal study looking at the self-reported, pre ... Quest Diagnostics to offer new ovarian cancer test (Bay News 9 Tampa Bay) 8 Mar 2010 at 2:04pm Quest Diagnostics selling presurgical ovarian cancer test, cites improved treatment potential Positive Phase 2 data from Nektar Therapeutics' NKTR-102 study in women with ... 8 Mar 2010 at 7:10am Nektar Therapeutics today announced preliminary progression-free survival data from the first stage of a two-stage Phase 2 clinical study evaluating single-agent treatment with NKTR-102 in women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. In the first stage of the study, 39 patients were enrolled with platinum-resistant disease and were evaluable for the secondary endpoint of progression-free ... Diet may play part in ovarian cancer survival rates (The Buffalo News) 8 Mar 2010 at 3:56am LOS ANGELES--Mom's admonishments to eat your fruits and vegetables should still be heeded, since a new study found that a diet high in fruits, vegetables and healthful grains may be associated with higher ovarian cancer survival rates. Ovarian Cancer Books & Resources Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics Of North America: 1993 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics Of North America: 1993 (formerly Clinics in Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics Of North America, Vol #20 issues 1-4) (Hardcover) By multiple 1 used and new from $55.00 First tagged "ovarian cancer" by Carole D. "Mrs.Tippy" Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Brea... Positive Results: Making the Best Decisions When You're at High Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer (Paperback) By Joi L. Morris Buy new: $13.60 33 used and new from $8.99 Customer Rating: First tagged "ovarian cancer" by R. E. Barlow Beating Ovarian Cancer: How To Overcome The Odds And Reclaim Your Life Beating Ovarian Cancer: How To Overcome The Odds And Reclaim Your Life (Paperback) By Chris Bledy Buy new: $13.57 17 used and new from $12.32 Customer Rating: First tagged "ovarian cancer" by Rick Rodgers "President of Rodgers & Associates" A Funny Little Story About the Death of My Mother A Funny Little Story About the Death of My Mother (Paperback) By Jan Nash Buy new: $12.95 8 used and new from $12.03 Customer Rating: First tagged "ovarian cancer" by Jan Nash