Cancer is a major cause of death in the US causing more than half a million deaths annually. Currently, only 3-5% of all adult patients with newly diagnosed cancer are treated in clinical trials. 

The study focused on identifying the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program participation as a direct and positive impact on all clinical trial-related activities, with enhanced access to expanded types of trials and cancer care services. In July 2007, Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center (SFCTC) in Grand Island, Nebraska, was selected as one of the initial 16 sites for the NCCCP.

SFCTC clinical trial activities data from July 2002 to June 2007, 5 years before participation in the NCCCP, and from July 2007 to June 2012, 5 years during the program, were collected for comparison.

The number and percentage of patients enrolled onto clinical trials increased from 89 (3.2%) to 640 (23%; P < .001). Available treatment and nontreatment trials raised from 8 and 3 to 28 and 12 per year (P = .012), respectively. The number of tissue samples collected and stored increased from 26 (19%) to 320 (52%; P < .001).

NCCCP participation had a direct and positive impact on all activities, with enhanced access to increased types of trials and cancer care services. It suggests that the feasibility of successfully implementing an extended spectrum of clinical trials and plans in a rural area.

Ref: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JOP.2015.005736 

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