Bringing More Trials to More People

While research and clinical trials can enhance standard cancer treatments, they are also the key to the future of cancer care, with a result of improved patient outcomes and survival rates. Read on to learn more about how we are enrolling more patients in clinical trials. Where does cancer research happen? Today, Louisiana and Gulf South residents have more options than ever to seek advanced cancer treatment, thanks to a $5.6 million National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) award. The Cancer Center has partnered with LSU-New Orleans and LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, referred to collectively as the Gulf South Minority/Underserved NCI Community Oncology Research Program. Through this partnership, the Cancer Center brings more cancer clinical trials and cancer care delivery research studies to surrounding communities. This effort reaches about 80 percent of Louisiana residents, particularly minority populations, providing patients access to high-quality research studies closer to home. Recently, the Cancer Center achieved a major milestone by leading the network in enrolling the most patients in the Gulf South NCORP in clinical trials this past year. Learn more about the Cancer Center’s clinical research program:Who is eligible to participate in a clinical trial? The Cancer Center offers many trials – from brain, breast, colorectal, head and neck, kidney and lung, to melanoma, pancreas and prostate studies – to seek the safest and most effective treatments for each cancer type. Every patient at Mary Bird Perkins-Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is evaluated for participation in a clinical trial. Last year, 65 percent of eligible patients went on to enroll in a trial. Access to Clinical Trials The Cancer Center offers clinical trials at our main campus on Essen Lane, as well as through the care we provide with our partners at Woman’s Hospital at the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion, and the LSU Health North Baton Rouge Clinic. Mary Bird Perkins also has other locations throughout Southeast Louisiana where patients participate in the same types of trials offered here in Baton Rouge. For more information on clinical trials, please call (225) 215-1353 or email the clinical research team at clinicalresearch@marybird.com.