Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington

Clinical trials

Clinical trials

Join research studies

Helping to assess new ways to diagnose, treat, screen and prevent cancer.

Clinical trials are biomedical research studies performed in people that follow a predefined set of procedures to test the safety and effectiveness of new diagnostic tests, treatments and methods to prevent diseases. In cancer research, a clinical trial assesses new ways to diagnose, treat, screen and prevent cancer. Many medical advances we have today, including all the drugs that are currently used to treat ovarian cancer patients, came about as a result of clinical trials.

Why participate in a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are fundamental to the discovery of new and better therapies in the fight against ovarian cancer. Through participation in a clinical trial, patients have the chance to receive the latest and most innovative investigational medicines that experts think might improve their cancer. Clinical trials are important options for all patients at all stages of their disease and treatment. If you’re hesitant about clinical trials, read our Clinical Trials Myths and FAQs and view this helpful presentation. Learn more about finding a Clinical Trial.

More information

Clinical trials are available in many communities and medical centers. You can speak to your oncologist about this. The following contacts all contain useful information on clinical trials:

NCI: http://www.cancer.gov (800-4CANCER)
ACS: http://www.cancer.org (800-ACS-2345)
FWC: http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org (800-444-4441)

Learning center

FAQ I had my ovaries removed – could I still get ovarian cancer? Technically, no; women who have their ovaries removed…
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Glossary Abdomen: The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. Acupuncture: The technique of inserting…
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CA 125 CA-125, which stands for “Cancer Antigen 125” is a protein that may be found in high amounts in the blood…
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Diagnosis Detection No reliable screening or early detection tests exist for ovarian cancer. The Pap test does not test for ovarian cancer; it…
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Risk factors Research has shown that certain risk factors increase the likelihood a woman may get ovarian cancer. Other factors may actually…
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Symptoms Ovarian cancer does have symptoms, but they are usually subtle and easily mistaken for other, more common problems. In some cases,…
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What is ovarian cancer? Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping, and spread into surrounding…
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Take next steps

Complementary Medicine Many ovarian cancer survivors continue to explore the possibilities of complementary medicine as an adjunct to standard medical care. Examples…
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Treatment The importance of being treated by a gynecologic oncologist cannot be stressed enough. According to numerous medical studies, there are significant survival…
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Financial assistance resources American Cancer Society : Learn more about The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® and other programs. CancerCare ; CancerCare is…
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Clinical trials Clinical trials are biomedical research studies performed in people that follow a predefined set of procedures to test the safety…
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