Cancer clinical trials are research studies conducted in human volunteers. They aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of certain drugs, treatment approaches, surgical techniques, or behavioural interventions to see if they will benefit those who are facing cancer.
At the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, we are committed to providing consistent funding to clinical trials offered at The Ottawa Hospital, to make sure local patients have access to the most promising new cancer treatments. Supporting Ottawa’s clinical trials program means that more studies are opened right here in our community, and our loved ones and neighbours don’t need to travel to larger cities like Montreal or Toronto to receive their treatments.
For many patients, treatment offered on a clinical trial can drastically improve their quality of life, lessen their treatment side-effects, help them live longer, or put their cancer in remission. Clinical trials can often be offered for cancers at any stage, whether the patient has other treatment options available or not.
For more facts about how clinical trials work and who might be eligible, visit this website.
Treatments offered in local cancer clinical trials can include:
- Immunotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapies
- New radiation techniques
- New surgical techniques
- Chemotherapy combinations
- Exercise studies
- …and much more.
Watch the video below to learn how a clinical trial for melanoma changed Ramona Bietlot’s life.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in a clinical trial, please speak to your oncologist. If you would like help with decision-making or other challenges you are facing in your cancer experience, you may also wish to register for support.
Other Clinical Trials Stories
The SPARTAN Trial: Promising Results for Prostate Cancer
PARP Inhibitors: Hope for Women Facing Gynecologic Cancers
Combined Immunotherapies show Promise in Treating Colorectal Cancer