Diane Allen, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator talks about cancer clinical trials

Diane gave a captivating and informative talk on Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute's gynecologic oncology clinical trials. She covered a variety of technical topics in plain English language. She explained that before a patient signs on for a clinical trial  he or she is required to gothrough an assessment. That includes counseling and education about the risks, expectations and so forth.

Clinical trials are research studies that help learn if a new procedure, test or treatment works better. They are typically commissioned by NIH or a pharmaceutical company. Patients can benefit because sometimes the new procedure, test, or treatment may have already shown better results than standard care.

Strict rules protect patients. A consent form lists medical risks, and the research team carefully reviews possibel side effects with the patient, who can changes their minds at any time.