Patient Stories: Narratives from Participants in Cancer Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are the engine of cancer research. Virtually every cancer treatment available to people with cancer today is the direct result of a clinical trial. While clinical trials are the standard of care in the treatment of children with cancer, only about 3 to 5 percent of people with cancer overall participate in cancer clinical trials.

People with cancer who make an informed decision to participate in a clinical trial provide the gift of information that has helped scientists and doctors develop new ways to slow, halt and prevent cancer.

The following stories highlight the personal experiences of people with cancer who have participated in clinical trials. Each story gives insight as to what led each of these people to participate in a cancer clinical trial.

The information provided about cancer clinical trials is not medical advice. As with other cancer treatment decisions, whether or not to participate in a clinical trial is a decision that should be made by patients in consultation with licensed medical professionals. The mention of any particular clinical trial, product, service, or therapy is not and should not be interpreted as ASCO’s endorsement of the trial, product, service, or therapy mentioned. For more information please see the Cancer.Net Terms and Conditions.

John Peterson
April 9, 2009

Colon Cancer
John Peterson was diagnosed with colon cancer in August 2001 at age 41. In 2007, he participated in a clinical trial to treat metastatic colon cancer that has spread to the liver. The trial’s semi-invasive procedure involved injecting microspheres filled with radiation into an artery in John’s leg that led directly to the tumors in his liver.

Cynthia Gilman
March 31, 2009

Breast Cancer
In September 2003, Cynthia was diagnosed with stage 3a breast cancer at the age of 43. Cynthia participated in a clinical trial examining a breast cancer vaccine for early stage, HER2-positive, high-risk breast cancer patients.

Toni Greene
March 31, 2009

Breast Cancer
A scientist and researcher working on her Ph.D., Toni was only 28 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in April 2007. Toni chose to undergo a cutting-edge stem cell treatment even after she showed no evidence of disease.

Steve Magnussen
March 31, 2009

Pancreatic Cancer
Steve, age 66, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2001. Steve participated in a clinical trial testing the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer combined with a drug approved to treat breast cancer.

Craig Lustig
March 31, 2009

Brain Cancer
Craig was 27 years old when he was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor brain tumor in May 1992. Soon after his diagnosis, Craig participated in a six month clinical trial testing a new type of outpatient chemotherapy.