Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Clinical Trials.

Free Educational Workshop for People Interested in Learning About Clinical Trials Davenport, IA (September) – Gilda’s Club will host Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Clinical Trials – a free workshop for people affected by cancer who are interested in learning about clinical trials. Clinical trials have led to major advances in the field of oncology today by validating the benefits of new and improved cancer treatments. This workshop will highlight the importance of research and how clinical trials work. Not every person will be on a clinical trial or needs to be on one, but should be aware that a clinical trial may be a treatment option. A panel of specialists will present this workshop on Tuesday, September 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gilda’s Club, 1234 East River Drive. Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Clinical Trials streamlines crucial resources about clinical trials available to people in treatment for cancer. The Workshop will include:   *   Kim Turner, RN, MSN, Clinical Trials Nurse, Genesis Cancer Care Institute   *   Katy D'Aprile, RN, BSN, OCN, Clinical Trials Nurse, Holden Cancer Center Quad Cities   *   Shelle Sikkema, RN OCN CCRP, Clinical Trials Nurse, UnityPoint Health — Trinity Moline We will also hear from several cancer survivors about their experiences with clinical trials. The Cancer Support Community (CSC), an international nonprofit, announced the results of its study of cancer survivors’ perceptions of clinical trials at the 2017 American Psychological Association Annual Convention on August 4, 2017. The study shows that negative perceptions of clinical trials and low participation in trials persist—barriers that are elevated among racial and ethnic minorities. Key findings from the study include:   *   61 percent reported feeling uncomfortable about being randomly assigned to a treatment   *   57 percent expressed fear they would receive a placebo   *   24 percent believed their insurance would not cover the costs of a clinical trial   *   18 percent thought that logistical barriers such as transportation would make it impossible to fulfill trial requirements Only 41 percent of cancer survivors recalled having a discussion about clinical trials with their health care team. “Clinical trials are essential for advancing cancer research of treatment and finding a cure. However, fewer than five percent of adults with cancer participate in trials nationally,” explained Joanne Buzaglo, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research and Training at CSC. “To increase participation rates, we must ramp up outreach efforts to racial and ethnic minority groups because having diversity in trials increases the generalizability of the results.” To register, please call 563-326-7504. Dinner is included, RSVP required. Can’t attend in-person? Join us from home! This event will be streamed live from our Facebook page, so you can watch it from anywhere you have a computer! Just go to www.facebook.com/GildasClubQC.  #GCQCtrials to submit questions ahead of time. Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Clinical Trials is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer, Astellas, Celgene and Takeda Oncology. ### Note:  Reporters are welcome to attend the workshop, however, please contact us in advance if you are interested in bringing a photo/videographer or would like a facility tour. The mission of the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. In 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization, with more than 50 years of collective experience, provides the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer through a network of more than 50 licensed affiliates, over 100 satellite locations and a vibrant online community, touching more than one million people each year. www.cancersupportcommunity.org<http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org> | 888.793.9355