National Cancer Institute sponsored cooperative clinical trials

Article Abstract:

The National Cancer Institute has a mandate to conduct and support research in both the basic and the applied areas of cancer research. Much of the evaluation of potential cancer treatments is conducted through the Cooperative Group System, which consists of physicians at major hospitals and university medical centers. While not the only source of cancer research, these groups are the single largest and best defined component of the cancer research system. The Groups account for 34 Phase I trials, accounting for 602 patients; Phase I trials represent the initial investigation of novel treatment methods. Although a small portion of the overall program, Phase I trials are very important. The Cooperative Groups Phase II program accounts for the largest number of trials; to date, 310 trials involving 5,463 patients. Phase II trials involve the careful evaluation of treatment protocols for which some evidence of efficacy has accumulated, but for which much confirmation is needed. Phase III trials involve the largest number of patients. Over 15,000 patients in 183 trials participate in the randomized and statistically sound comparison of new treatment methods with the most effective current therapies. Several key goals exist for the Cooperative Groups Program. There should be an increased linkage between the laboratory and the clinical research programs, and more effective links should be forged with major cancer centers. In addition, more patients should be recruited into the programs. This is particularly true for elderly and minority patients, groups that may not be adequately represented in research programs at present. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Management, Clinical medicine, Social policy, Clinical trials, Medical research, Human experimentation in medicine, Human medical experimentation, United States. National Cancer Institute

---

Access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment

Article Abstract:

In 1989, the American Cancer Society held hearings on cancer and the poor, and outlined the difficulties faced by the poor in obtaining cancer care. Poor people often do not have health insurance, and often do not seek care they can not afford. Paying for cancer care often requires enormous personal sacrifices, and poor people have developed a fatalistic attitude towards cancer, which often prevents them from seeking help at all. The net result is that poor patients endure greater pain and suffering from cancer than their more affluent fellow citizens. In 1988, an estimated 37 million Americans were not covered by health insurance. Only 59 percent of uninsured women had Pap smears in accordance with recommended schedules, compared with 78 percent of insured women. Poor people are also more likely to receive care in impersonal and overcrowded clinics rather than private offices, and there have been well publicized cases of patients watching tumors grow despite frequent clinic visits. The American Cancer Society is taking the position of advocacy for the medically disenfranchised. By documenting cases of inadequate care, the Society hopes to present the problem to the public. The Society also hopes to use increased public awareness to invoke political action. In some cases, legal action may be an appropriate recourse to assure adequate medical services for the poor. The goal of reduction of illness and mortality is admirable, but it must include all people, and stronger advocacy measures are necessary for this to take place. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Social aspects, Medical economics, Economic aspects, Poverty, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Cancer

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Considerations in the selection of end points for AIDS clinical trials. part 2 Clinical research units for the treatment of patients with HIV disease: operational issues and components needed to conduct clinical trials
• Abstracts: Safety assessment of gadopentetate dimeglumine in U.S. clinical trials
• Abstracts: Correlation of serum antigen and antibody concentration with clinical features in HIV infection. HIV DNA blood levels in vertically infected pediatric patients: variations with age, association with disease progression, and comparison with blood levels in infected mothers
• Abstracts: Video display terminals and the risk of spontaneous abortion. Cocaine and tobacco use and the risk of spontaneous abortion
• Abstracts: Stimulant medication and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: the child's perspective. Methylphenidate in children with seizures and attention-deficit disorder

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.