As part of its mission to provide comprehensive, advanced care, Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center gives patients access to clinical trials, which are research studies that examine the effectiveness of cancer medications and treatment methods.

“Clinical trials enable us to offer groundbreaking new therapies, often years before they’re widely available,” says medical oncologist Myron Bednar, MD, director of clinical trials.

“Through our affiliation with Philadelphia’s Fox Chase Cancer Center, Hunterdon is currently participating in approximately 25 national research studies examining treatments for breast, lung, colon and other types of cancer,” Dr. Bednar reports.

Dr. Bednar leads a team of physicians and clinical research nurses who carefully review all ongoing trials to determine which ones might be most useful in the local patient population.

If the physician identifies a clinical trial that may be appropriate for a patient, it is offered as another treatment option. The research staff will educate patients to help them make a fully informed decision about participation. Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary, and patients who choose to participate are carefully monitored by specially trained research nurses throughout the course of the trial.

“Clinical trial participants gain access to treatments that could help them significantly,” says Dr. Bednar. “They also help others by contributing to medical research that increases our understanding of cancer and how to detect and treat it.”

To learn more about available clinical research trials, call 908-237-2330.