A CANCER research manager says ovarian cancer trials run on the Border rival any of those in city centres.
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The Border Medical Oncology Research Unit, based at the Murray Valley Private Hospital, has been running trials across a range of cancer types since 1998.
However, research team manager Jacqui McBurnie said there were members of the community who did not know that clinical trials were being conducted on the Border.
“People coming to see our oncologists know about trials, but others may think the best treatment is in Melbourne and Sydney,” she said.
“People are not aware they have a local resource which is the largest regional cancer clinical trials unit in Australia.
“It’s worth asking the question before heading to the cities.
“We have access to a variety of trials in different cancers on par with any city centre.”
Last year 120 patients were entered into clinical trials from 902 newly diagnosed cancer patients on the Border.
Mrs McBurnie said the unit had two ovarian cancer trials currently recruiting, with another three to commence from next month.
“Our aim is to improve outcomes for regional cancer patients and impact on the future direction of cancer treatments,” she said.
“The data that we collect from trials may result in a drug being approved in clinical practice.”
The trials explore the potential cancer causes and risk factors, ways to prevent cancer and earlier and more accurate detection and diagnosis.
Participants can also take part in surveys that collect information regarding quality of life.
The research unit has been kicking goals since starting the trials, winning the NSW Premier’s Award for innovation in cancer clinical trials in 2009 and the same $20,000 award last year.
Meanwhile, the Border Ovarian Cancer Awareness Group, which was formed last year, has come on-board to commit funding for the continued research for ovarian cancer patients at the research unit.