Leading patient advocacy organizations announced today that they are teaming up for the first time on an initiative to encourage patients with lung cancer to take charge of their diagnosis and learn about clinical trials, which are an important part of treatment innovation. The Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Call to Action campaign matches lung cancer patients with currently recruiting clinical trials based on their individual situations. The easy-to-use resources help patients discuss with their doctor clinical trials that may be appropriate for them.
"Lung cancer is a devastating disease and treatment decisions need to be made quickly and efficiently. The Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Call to Action campaign provides valuable information to help patients and physicians have a dialogue about all available treatment options," said Laurie Ambrose, president and chief executive officer of the Lung Cancer Alliance.
The Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Call to Action campaign was designed to ease the burden patients and their families may feel when trying to navigate the complicated landscape of researching and identifying clinical trials to discuss with their doctor. The resources available through the program include a Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Matching Service, which provides personalized education and the quick identification of clinical trial options that match each patient's diagnosis, stage and treatment history. Patients may access the service by visiting any one of the six partner organization websites (e.g., lungCANCER.org) or by calling the toll-free number (1-800-698-0931) to be matched with a compassionate and informed Clinical Trial Specialist who will guide them through the entire process.
"As a physician, my goal is to make sure that my patients get the right treatment as soon as possible, and clinical trials are one important way to accomplish that," said Dr. Joan Schiller, president of the National Lung Cancer Partnership and Deputy Director of the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. "More broadly, participation in clinical trials is crucial to the fight against lung cancer, both now and for future generations."