The National Cancer Program
and Clinical Trials
- A nationwide effort to conquer cancer intensified with the National
Cancer Act of 1971. As a result of the National Cancer Program, created
by that legislation, more cancer patients are being cured today than ever
before, and many others are living longer with improved quality of life.
- The National Cancer Program brings together a network of researchers
at many public and private institutions around the country. These include
the National Cancer Institute, cancer centers, universities, community hospitals
and private industry. Groups involving hundreds of researchers are working
to discover and put to use new knowledge to benefit the cancer patients
of today and tomorrow.
- Knowledge gained from research studies with patients-clinical trials-has
been essential to overall progress. Such studies have led to increased survival
for childhood cancers, Hodgkin's disease, breast, uterine, testicular and
bladder cancers, as well as others. These studies continue to play a key
role in progress against cancer.
- Today, major scientific discoveries in the laboratory are part of a
revolution in biology. New tools to unravel the process of cancer are leading
to exciting new approaches against cancer. Clinical trials continue to be
the link between such basic research and patients. The goal is to translate
the best of that research into findings that directly help people.
Resources
- Information about cancer is available from many sources, including the
ones listed below. You may wish to check for additional information at your
local library or bookstore and from support groups in your community.
- Cancer Information Service
- The Cancer Information Service, a program of the National Cancer Institute,
is a nationwide telephone service for cancer patients and their families
and friends, the public, and health care professionals. The staff can answer
questions (in English or Spanish) and can send free National Cancer Institute
booklets about cancer. They also know about local resources and services.
One toll-free number, 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), connects callers
all over the country with the office that serves their area.
American Cancer Society
- The American Cancer Society is a voluntary organization with a national
office and local units all over the country. This organization supports
research, conducts educational programs, and offers many services to patients
and their families. The American Cancer Society also provides free booklets
on cancer. To obtain booklets, or for information about services and activities
in local areas, call the Society's toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345, or
the number listed under American Cancer Society in the white pages of the
telephone book.
PDQ
- The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ, a computerized database
designed to give doctors quick and easy access to:
- the latest treatment information for most types of cancer (also available
by fax machine; the fax number is 301-402-5874);
- descriptions of clinical trials that are open for enrollment (including
the names and addresses of the physicians and facilities conducting the
studies); and
- the names of organizations and physicians involved in cancer care.
- To access PDQ, physicians may use an office computer with a telephone
hookup and a PDQ access code, or the services of a medical library with
online searching capability. Cancer Information Service offices (1-800-4-CANCER)
provide PDQ searches to callers and can tell physicians how to obtain regular
access to the database. Patients may ask their physicians to use PDQ or
may call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER to request a search
for themselves. PDQ is updated monthly with the latest cancer information
on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.