Help Advance The Next Generation Of Cancer Drugs (NAPSA)—You can be a part of something important. Researchers are looking for ordinary Ameri- QuickLINK, public health in the U.S. Recently, a group of cancer experts in partnership with the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Visit www.CancerTrialsHelp.org important research opportunities and merit support for rapid com- pletion. Combined, these 10 large studies will need to enroll more Coalition’s signature database and navigator of thousandsof cancer clinical trials. TrialCheck offers a fast and easy wayfor peo- will explore new colorectal cancer ble to participate in these and cans to be on the front lines of Groups (www.CancerTrialsHelp.org) identified 10 high-priority colorectal clinical studies that address than 17,500 people. Nine trials treatments and oneis a largecolo- rectal prevention trial designed to enroll healthy individuals. Patients and caregivers inter- ested in participating in these important trials can find information through www.CancerTrialsHelp.org. A convenient resource called QuickLink has been built on this Website to help learn more about these major colorectal cancerclini- cal trials and to easily determine if you are eligible for enrollment. “Clinical trials are not just a vital source of information, they and click on QuickLink. support services. In addition to QuickLink, www.CancerTrialsHelp.org provides patients and caregivers access to www.TrialCheck.org, the ple to find out if they maybe eligi- other trials. Search results are displayed by proximity to the user’s zip code, making it easy to find clinical trials close to home. TrialCheck is the most frequently updated searchable database of cancerclinical trials in the U.S. Clinical trial participants stand to personally benefit as well. Patients who join cancerclinical trials are given the best available treatment or a new treatment that, based on early clinical data, could be an improvementover the can be of great value to the individuals who participate in them,” said current standard therapy. In addition, there are manytrials available for prevention, screening and the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative or precancerous polyps. Robert L. Comis, M.D., president of Groups. “A common misperception that some patients receive placebo has prevented some people from participating in clinical trials.” Placebos (also called “sugar pills”) are rarely used in cancerclinical trials and are never used in place of treatment. There are nearly 270 colorectal cancer studies currently available for patients in the U.S., out of over 4,500 cancer trials of all types. Now, QuickLink provides information on 10 of the largest colorectal trials currently available, along with links to patient early detection of colorectal cancer Participants in clinical trials are vital in the fight against can- cer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be almost 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the U.S. in 2006. Many of these patients may be eligible to participate in these clinical trials as part of their treatment, and are encouraged to learn more andtalk to their doctor. Cancer clinical trials are designed to improve upon “best available therapies” while pro- tecting the rights and welfare of participants.
