Clinical Trial Program
March 21, 2011
For the 2010 Annual Report for The Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Community Hospital

The oncology clinical trials program, through affiliation with Loyola University Health System, is underway at Kish Hospital after months of planning. A prevention trial and an observational trial are open to enrollment at this time. More trials will be added as the program expands.  

Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions about cancer clinical trials that can discourage participation. A major barrier to participation is the belief among patients and healthcare workers alike that trials are only a “last ditch effort” and that being offered a trial means that there is no hope or no other treatment options. In reality, the vast majority of cancer trials, including the trials offered at Kish Hospital, focus on improving current treatment options. Clinical trials may be considered at any point during cancer treatment.

Another widespread concern is the fear of possibly getting a placebo, instead of getting active treatment for cancer. Placebos are never used in cancer clinical trials when a known effective treatment exists. Instead, new cancer treatments are compared to the current standard of care. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Treatment Guidelines support the use of clinical trials in cancer care, stating “NCCN believes the best management of any cancer patient is in a clinical trial. Participation in clinical trials is especially encouraged.”

“As Kish Hospital’s clinical trial research nurse, I work closely with our oncologists, nurses and referring providers to identify cancer patients who may be candidates for a clinical trial and to ensure all of these patients are given the opportunity to participate,” said Lisa Johnson, RN, OCN. She also works very closely with the Cancer Clinical Trials Office at Loyola to coordinate trial administration and data collection and management.

Johnson has been an oncology nurse for 10 years with experience in both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.”I look forward to using that experience to continue to grow the oncology clinical trials program at Kish,” said Johnson.

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