DANVILLE — Geisinger Health System is bringing big-city cancer research to rural Pennsylvania. More than 100 clinical trials focused on cancer in adults and children are being conducted that are accessible to residents throughout its 43-county service area.
According to Heather Albertson, R.N., B.S.N., C.C.R.P., team leader of clinical trials for Oncology, Geisinger’s studies fall into three categories:
-- Investigator-initiated trials: Conducted by Geisinger physicians who have established their own protocols.
-- Industry trials: Mostly led by pharmaceutical companies.
-- Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP): These National Institutes of Health grant-funded studies connect academic centers such as the Mayo Clinic with community physicians. These trials are available at Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre — Hazleton and State College.
“The CCOP truly benefits patients since these innovative cancer trials are offered at locales to the west, in the central region and into the Northeast,” said Albert Bernath Jr., M.D., director of Geisinger’s Cancer Institute, who originated these studies 25 years ago and is one of the founding CCOP investigators in the country. “Patients can remain closer to home to receive these cutting-edge treatments. We are bringing these opportunities to the people.”
Albertson added that the GSWB – Hazelton facility was a recent acquisition, and with it brought three experienced and seasoned hematologists/oncologists. “This is just showing our commitment to grow and offer patients direct access to clinical trials,” she said.
“National trials are in our back yard. People do not have to travel to Philadelphia or New York City. They can go to Danville, State College, Wilkes-Barre and Hazelton for national and international trials,” Albertson said.
Clinical trials through Geisinger focus on cancers of the brain, head and neck, breast and lung, as well as GI, genitor-urinary, hematologic and gynecologic cancers; and melanoma; in addition to cancer control and prevention studies.
May is National Cancer Research Month.
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Geisinger studying rural cancer
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