Childhood Cancer Facts

"Clinical Trials"
(A research protocol or a study)

• What is a clinical trial?
  In cancer research, a clinical trial is a study conducted with cancer patients, usually to evaluate new treatments. Each study is designed to answer scientific questions and to find new and better ways to help cancer patients.
 
• Why are clinical trials important?
  Advances in medicine and science are the results of new ideas and approaches developed through research. New cancer treatments must prove to be safe and effective in scientific studies with a certain number of patients before they can be made widely available.
 
• Are there risks or side effects in clinical trials?
  Yes, however, trials are carefully controlled and the child's response to treatment is continuously monitored.
 
• Where do Pediatric Cancer clinical trials come from?
  The Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) is one of only two collaborative research groups in the United States dedicated to the treatment of childhood cancers. POG initiates and conducts clinical trials.
 
• Clinical trials and childhood cancer.
  Currently, UC Davis Medical Center, Pediatric Oncology Department participates in 67 active POG research protocols. The advantage is that childhood cancer patients have access to the newest ideas and approaches in treating their particular type of cancer.
  
• RESEARCH CURES CANCER!
  Pediatric Oncology Group (POG), "Our mission is ongoing. We strive to increase the cure rates of our patients, improve the quality of their lives, and lessen suffering from these catastrophic diseases. The national impact of curing children with cancer is great, resulting in the salvage of entire lifetimes of productivity. In time, we hope to solve the problem of pediatric cancer, one child at a time."