LEWISTON – “Clinical Trials” will be the topic of a program set for the Wednesday, May 11, meeting of the Central Maine Medical Center Cancer Wellness and Support Group.

Tracy Ackley, oncology clinical research coordinator at CMMC, will present an overview about clinical trials and the cancer patient.

Clinical trials are research studies that test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, different combinations of older drugs, different dosages or new or different treatment plans using chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery to fight cancer.

Clinical trials are used to improve ways to diagnose, treat, prevent, alleviate side effects, or improve quality and length of life.

Participation in a clinical trial is strictly voluntary. All information yielded by the research study is used to assess the new treatment.

The information generated by clinical trials contributes to the body of knowledge leading to better cancer care.

Ackley will explain how clinical trials work, how they can benefit participants and how participants are protected. She will discuss patient eligibility and what happens during the trial.

The program will be offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the conference room at the Cynthia A. Rydholm Cancer Treatment Center at CMMC.

The CMMC Cancer Wellness and Support Group is open to people living with cancer, as well as their spouses/partners, family members and caregivers.

There is no fee for participation. Light refreshments will be served.

0For more information, call Kerry Irish at 795-7118.

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