St. Joseph's cancer program is a consortium member of the Greater Phoenix Clinical Oncology Program (GPCCOP). Involvement in this consortium allows us to bring cancer clinical trial research to our patients in their own communities.

Research is important for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Clinical trials assist in the evaluation of treatment approaches. All trials open to patients at the hospital have gone through rigorous review by the hospital internal review board to evaluate for patient safety and follow-up. GPCCOP runs trials from the National Cancer Institute, The Southwest Oncology Group, the Gynecology Oncology Group, and others.

St. Joseph's also has physicians in radiation oncology that formed the Foundation for Oncology Research, which makes clinical trials available to our patients. These trials are also reviewed by the internal review board to insure safety and follow-up for patients.

Clinical trials are studies conducted with patients to evaluate a new treatments. Before a new treatment is given to human beings it is extensively studied in the laboratory. When the scientists are ready to begin clinical trials on human patients, they must first seek approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Once approved, clinical trials may begin.

After all the possible risks as well as the benefits of the new treatment are explained to the patient, an Informed Consent is signed. An Informed Consent is a document stating that the patient fully understands the benefits, risks and their role in the treatment; and also understands that they may stop the trial treatment at any time. Signed Informed Consent forms are required by federally conducted, funded, or regulated studies as well as by many state laws. We require our patients to sign such forms.

Patients at the St. Joseph's cancer program may seek other healthcare professionals' opinions at any time during their treatment. Consultation or continued medical management are available. Our physicians help patients weigh their alternatives- surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biologic therapy versus clinical trials or combined approaches.