Only 1 out of 7 cancer patients participate clinical trials becuase until now, the newest treatments were mostly available in major metropolitan areas. Cancer patients across rural Georgia now have access to the newest cancer treatments, once available only in large cities.
The National Cancer institute is funding clinical trials in Columbus, Savannah and Rome as part of a three year study.
Dr. Ken Davis, with Harbin Clinic in Rome said travel expenses can often put cutting edge treatments out of reach.
“It’s just totally inconvenient and totally so expensive that there’s no way that someone in Rome, Georgia can afford it. Plus, the volumes you can have, in six institutions, you can’t have all these patients in those locations,” saidThe clinical trials will offer the newest chemotherapy programs and cancer research drugs. If the study goes well, the National Cancer Institute may offer clinical trials in more areas.
Davis.
