Coalition Co-sponsors Fifth Cancer Trials Summit Retooling the System Theme of Annual Symposium

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
Wednesday, 26 September 2001

The Cancer Research Foundation of America and a coalition of concerned organizations dedicated to increasing participation in clinical trials, are proud to sponsor the fifth annual Summit Series on Cancer Clinical Trials, "Retooling the System: The Changes Ahead and How to Prepare for Them."

This year's summit, which will examine the positive and negative aspects of the existing system for clinical cancer research, will be held October 3-5 in Chantilly, Virginia. The event will bring together representatives of groups involved in cancer care, research and management to present and share perspectives and concerns.

Clinical trials are key components of an optimal system for delivering quality cancer care and offer benefits to patients and society. Patients derive the benefit by gaining quicker access to the newest treatments.

The three-day program will feature presentations and discussions focusing on:

- The Impact of Molecular Medicine

- Changing Paradigms: The Patient Perspective; Resource and Infrastructure Requirements

- A Clinical Trial Public Awareness Campaign: What's Needed

Presentations will be followed by breakout sessions and brainstorming that will become the basis for a national plan to enhance the cancer clinical trials infrastructure. Invited presenters represent clinicians, the government, academic medical centers, patient advocate groups and the pharmaceutical industry.

"As we continue to encourage patients to enroll in clinical trials and they respond, it is crucial that we have a solid and reliable system in place that will ensure new research is handled appropriately,"said Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Cancer Research Foundation of America.

The Cancer Research Foundation of America, along with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Cancer Leadership Council, the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups and the Oncology Nursing Society, have worked together since 1998 to sponsor the Summit Series on Clinical Trials.

For more information, or to contact Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, see their website at: www.preventcancer.org