Public talk to address the question: ‘Are patients on clinical trials guinea pigs?’
Leading experts and patient representatives will dispel myths and discuss merits of clinical trials
Why labelling patients on clinical trials as guinea pigs is an outdated myth which misrepresents modern clinical trials will be one the key issues addressed today (Thurs, 25/08) at a public talk at 6.30pm in Dublin’s Mansion House.
The event, Decoding Cancer - Are Patients on Clinical Trials Guinea Pigs? will dispel the myths and discuss the merits of clinical trials in the context of developments in cancer treatment. Organised by the Irish Cancer Society in partnership with Cancer Trials Ireland, the talk will facilitate a thorough discussion of how these trials work, what they entail for the cancer patient involved, and their place in the future of cancer research.
Joining leading medical experts will be two members of the public who have experience of accessing trials: an adult cancer trial participant and the father of a young girl who is currently enrolled in a trial for her rare form of childhood cancer. Both have agreed to speak openly about their experiences in accessing clinical trials so that the public can be better informed of the options available to cancer patients.
The event is being held as part of the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Decoding Cancer’ series of public talks, which aims to dispel some of the myths around cancer and explore the many advances being made through research in prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship.
Speakers at this event will include:
- Dr Jennifer Westrup, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Section Chief of Oncology at Beacon Hospital.
- Dr Catherine M. Kelly, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Mater Private Hospital in Dublin.
- Moderator: Claire O’Connell, Freelance journalist and contributor to The Irish Times and Silicon Republic.
Speaking ahead of the event, Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society, Dr Robert O’Connor, said:
“Cancer research saves lives. We know the impact that cancer trials have for the lives of cancer patients and their families, often offering an invaluable ray of hope. But there are also many barriers.
“Over the past 10 years the number of patients participating in cancer trials in Ireland has doubled and the number of trials opened has tripled. But many have fears about being involved in research themselves and to many cancer patients clinical trials are not seen as an option that is open to them, even though their circumstances may make them a suitable candidate to be involved.
“This evening’s public talk will present the facts on clinical trials from the patient and researcher perspective and highlight how trials can bring both together to find improvements in care.”
All cancer treatments used today were once put through a clinical cancer trial. All future treatments, with the help of patients, will undergo the same rigorous testing.
This event offers the public the opportunity to discover more about clinical trials, both medical aspects and increasingly behavioural as well. They are a vital step in the road to developing new and effective methods for treating cancer.
The talk will be live-streamed from the Irish Cancer Society Facebook Page starting at 6.30pm.
