Download Clinical trials - Velindre Cancer Centre

Clinical trials
This leaflet provides information about clinical trials. It
explains what clinical trials are and discusses the possible
advantages and disadvantages of participating in a trial.
Contact telephone numbers for the Clinical Trials Unit are
given at the end of the leaflet.
Velindre NHS Trust has the responsibility to offer patients
the most effective treatment currently available. This is
usually known as standard treatment. We also have an
obligation to future patients to help develop new and better
treatments.
Why are there clinical trials?
Advances in cancer treatment have occurred because many
thousands of patients have taken part in research. We can
only continue to improve cancer treatment for the future if
patients agree to take part in research today.
What is a clinical trial?
It needs to be proved beyond doubt that new treatments are
effective. A clinical trial is a scientific way of studying new
treatments or new ways of giving existing treatments.
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A clinical trial is one of the final stages of a long and careful
cancer research process. Studies are carried out with
cancer patients to find out whether new ways of preventing,
diagnosing and treating cancer are safe and effective.
Velindre Cancer Centre is a leading centre for clinical trials.
Our Clinical Trials Unit has run over 100 national and
international clinical trials. All trials are approved by a Local
Research Ethics Committee. This committee is made up of
doctors, medical professionals and people from different
walks of life. They look at the importance and wisdom of
each trial to protect patients from unethical trials.
Many trials compare a new treatment with the most effective
treatment that is currently available. This means that in a
trial some patients will receive new treatments and some will
receive the standard treatments. Patients who receive the
standard treatments can be reassured that their treatment is
as good as the treatment they would receive if they were not
in a clinical trial.
What does it mean for me?
Each trial has very specific eligibility criteria. You may be
asked to consider taking part in a clinical trial if there is one
suitable to your diagnosis and treatment. The research
nurse will go through this with you.
Taking part in a clinical trial is entirely voluntary. We will
give you detailed information about the trial. You can ask
questions and discuss the trial with your family before you
decide if you would like to take part.
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Your decision will not affect the standard of care you
receive. If you do not wish to take part you will continue to
receive the highest standard of care and the most
appropriate treatment currently available.
What are the advantages of taking part?
 You will be helping to improve cancer treatments for
future patients.
 You may have more check-ups, tests or scans than
usual and some people find this reassuring.
What are the disadvantages of taking part?
 You may have to make extra visits to Velindre or be
asked to keep a diary or record of your treatment.
Further information
If you would like more information about clinical trials please
ask your hospital doctor or contact the relevant research
staff listed on the next page.
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Clinical Trials Unit contact numbers
Velindre Cancer Centre
029 2061 5888
Unit Manager: Jane Darmanin
Unit Administrator: Cindy Langford
Research Assistant: Jamie Morgan
Research Link Nurse: Rhianydd Jones
Ext 6110
Ext 6222
Bleep 218
Bleep 197
Breast team (Bleep 225)
Research Lead: Clare Boobier
Research Nurse: Karen Davies & Sarah Fry
Administrator: Hana Wilbraham
Ext 6986
Ext 6962
Ext 6479
Urology / Melanoma team (Bleep 152)
Research Lead: Clare Boobier
Research Nurse: Joanne Preece & Sarah Fry
Administrator: Lucy Wilbraham
Ext 6986
Ext 6311
Ext 6312
Colorectal / Upper GI team (Bleep 131)
Research Lead: Amanda Jackson
Ext 6550
Research Nurse: Kathy Bishop & Deborah Jones Ext 2285
Administrator: Angela Kitto
Ext 2286
Lung / Lymphoma team (Bleep 105)
Research Lead: Amanda Jackson
Research Nurse: Nikki Coates
Administrator: Caroline Vitalo
Ext 6550
Ext 2298
Ext 6551
Gynae team (Bleep 166)
Research Lead: Amanda Jackson
Administrator: Caroline Vitalo
Ext 6550
Ext 6551
Reviewed March 2010
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