Immunotherapy

The Vital Role of Clinical Trials

May marks a significant occasion in the medical community: National Clinical Trials Month and National Clinical Trials Day [May 20th]. It’s a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of clinical research to the advancement of healthcare. This month, as we acknowledge the progress made in various fields, let’s focus our attention on the critical role clinical trials play in ending cervical cancer—a disease that affects thousands of individuals worldwide. 

The Importance of Clinical Trials in Ending Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer remains a global health emergency, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Despite advancements in screening and prevention as well as through vaccines, many individuals still succumb to this preventable disease. Clinical trials serve as the cornerstone of progress in cervical cancer research. They provide a platform for testing new treatments, improving existing therapies, and enhancing our understanding of the disease’s biology.

In recent years, clinical trials have led to groundbreaking discoveries in cervical cancer treatment. From targeted therapies to immunotherapies, these trials have expanded treatment options, offering hope to patients who previously had limited choices. Moreover, clinical research has paved the way for personalized medicine approaches, allowing healthcare providers to tailor treatments based on individual patient characteristics, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing the various side effects.

The Role of Participation
Active participation in clinical trials is crucial for accelerating progress in cervical cancer research. Patients who enroll in trials not only gain access to cutting-edge treatments but also contribute to the collective knowledge that drives medical innovation. Each participant plays a vital role in advancing scientific understanding, ultimately benefiting future generations of patients.

Participating in a clinical trial can be a deeply personal decision, influenced by various factors such as medical history, treatment preferences, and access to care. However, it’s essential to recognize the potential impact of participation, both on an individual level and within the broader context of public health. By joining a trial, patients not only receive advanced care but also become partners in the quest to end cervical cancer once and for all.

Addressing Barriers to Participation
Despite the critical importance of clinical trials, several barriers exist that hinder participation. These may include lack of awareness, logistical challenges, concerns about safety, and disparities in access to healthcare. Overcoming these barriers requires efforts from healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, patient advocates, and the community at large.

Education and outreach efforts are essential for raising awareness about clinical trials and dispelling misconceptions. Providing clear information about the purpose, risks, and benefits of trials empowers patients to make informed decisions about their participation. Moreover, initiatives to address logistical barriers, such as transportation assistance, financial support, and flexible scheduling, can enhance access to trials for diverse populations.

As we observe National Clinical Trials Month and National Clinical Trials Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to advancing cervical cancer research through participation in clinical trials. Together, we can drive innovation, improve treatment options, and ultimately work towards the elimination of this devastating disease. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to our shared goal of a world free from cervical cancer. Let us stand united in the mission, embracing the hope that clinical trials offer for a brighter, healthier future.

Have you been on or are currently on a clinical trial? Are you willing to share your personal experience? We would love to hear from you! Email us today at [email protected].

The Elephant in the Room

It’s probably time to address the elephant in the room – Stage IV cancer. Words that typically come along with this stage diagnosis are incurable, terminal, and life-threatening. In my case, my cervical cancer has metastasized and spread to my collarbone and armpit area. Compared with many, my Stage IV is ‘minor’ because it is not present in my blood, bones, or brain. BUT it is incurable. The goal is to treat until we reach a point of NED (No Evidence of Disease), a pseudo remission. And for the remainder of my time, I will need to regularly test for recurrence. 

So, I’m not going to live forever; who is? And maybe I won’t live as long as I hoped, but there are new advances in treatment daily! I don’t discuss this part of my cancer journey very often because I refuse to give it any credence.

What I find curious is that I didn’t invite that particular elephant into my room. It was placed there by others. I know cancer is an uncomfortable subject for many, but to quote Monty Python, “I’m not dead yet”, so please don’t treat me like I am! 

The elephant in my room is a very different beast. Meet Ganesha! Ganesha is a Hindu deity that is known as the remover of obstacles. He is a symbol of prosperity and wealth, and he is believed to bring good luck. This is definitely the elephant I need in my corner; a hopeful, powerful and positive force! 

I believe that “the diversity of faith should be appreciated and celebrated.” (Stephen Mattson quote) That’s why I’m so appreciative of any prayers, positive vibes, or good juju sent my way. I’ll take it all and return it tenfold, should you need it! My ultimate goal is an honest relationship with my creator and maybe in my world, gods and elephants occupy the same space!

There are a few more elephants that I choose to have in my space and one of them is my support group. “In the wild, female elephants are known as fierce protectors. And when one of their sisters is suffering, they circle up around her. They close in tight, watch guard, and even kick dust around her to mask her vulnerable scent from predators. And yet, we are the same. This is who we are, and who we are meant to be for each other. Sometimes we’re the ones in the middle. Sometimes we’re the ones kicking up dust with fierce, fierce love. But the circle remains.” – From the Festive Farm Co.

The last elephant in my room is my mom. She was the first lover of elephants I knew (a byproduct of living in Thailand). I fondly remember her collection of elephant figurines, turned towards the window to keep the bad luck at bay. Sadly, she passed from liver cancer ten years ago, but she would have been the first to lead the charge to circle up in support. And her wisdom and strength are ever present in my room (and life), because like elephants, love remembers.

And so, my journey continues. With a lot of faith, hope, love, support, and my elephants, I plan on living every day to the fullest!

Christy K. Chambers is a world-traveling, military brat who moved to the east coast for college and never left. She currently resides in Monroe, North Carolina with her husband, son, and doggo, Ethel Mertz. A Jill-of-all-trades, she has had multiple careers in theatre, stage lighting, commercial printing, retail and paper arts. Christy was diagnosed with Stage IVb cervical cancer in May 2022 after she went for a routine Pap test. She completed round one of treatment in August 2022 and is currently being treated with immunotherapy.