The Option to Partake in a Clinical Trial During Recurrence

Each clinical trial is completed in three or four phases, all separate from each other. Within each phase, the researcher that is working on the trial is able to do question and answer research with the patients undergoing the treatment that can give the researchers valuable and reliable information on the trial and protects the patient.

This helps determine ways to better treat ovarian cancer.

Many female patients with ovarian cancer, according to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, do choose to participate in clinical trials. As a result of their participation, they may be able to take part in a treatment option that would not have been available within the clinically approved treatments when something in trial could be potentially life-saving.

"Some of the data we are seeing today makes us think, 'could ovarian cancer be curable in an advanced stage?'"

While doctors do not yet know if that is possible, the results coming from clinical trials already are encouraging and exciting, according to Chase.

Considering the factors involved with clinical trials is important.

"Going on a clinical trial means that you could be part of a movement that changes the course of ovarian cancer forever," says Chase.

If every patient participates in clinical trials, then there would be a better chance of improving everyone else's lives. Clinical trials for the right situation are extremely important events in which to partake, according to Chase. She says that most of the major cancer centers are the centers that have further and larger access to clinical trials, as opposed to the smaller cancer centers.

Chase believes that as an option for patients dealing with recurrence in ovarian cancer, clinical trials are a very good thing. "I really do think you are at an advantage, especially with a cancer that is not curable or has the potential to not be curable."

Clinical trials are very important to the advancement of the treatment of ovarian cancer.

There are clinical trials that are designed to be used as treatments in the earlier stages of ovarian cancer progression. There are also clinical trials that have been developed for patients that have been in recurrence multiple timestrials to introduce when standard treatments just refuse to work effectively for the patient and it is time to try something different.

As in all medical decisions, Chase says that it is important to have an open conversation between patient and doctor about what clinical trial options are available to the patient and to have them help the patient determine what is the right choice for them as they move forward in their fight against ovarian cancer.

"Your doctor knows where to access studies you may be eligible for," says Chase. "Even if for other diseases you might have, like Parkinson's disease or diabetes, always asking your doctor is there a new treatment that I would be eligible for that is being studied?"

Asking one's doctor what they think about putting them on a clinical trial does not mean that that patient will necessarily have to become a participant, but it is helpful to constantly stay informed about one's options as a patient. "By asking the question, you'll get more information, and it forces your doctor to look more into it and to consider the latest research," says Chase.

To learn more about clinical trials, watch this video with Dr. Beth Karlan of UCLA Medical Center, on SurvivorNet.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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