Doctor Column

Clinical Trials: Bedrock of Medical Advancements

Many cancer patients inquire if they’re eligible to participate in clinical trials for their specific cancer. Such was the case with 47 y/o Melanie, mother of two daughters, who was diagnosed with an invasive form of breast cancer. Besides wanting the most up-to-date treatment for her cancer, Melanie was interested in the latest cancer preventive clinical trials which might apply to her daughters. Besides cancer, current clinical trials are investigating, for example, Alzheimer’s disease treatments, diabetes medications, and cardiovascular diseases.

Tumor Biomarkers and Angellina Jolie

“I choose not to keep my story private, because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options,” said Jolie.