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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010

Clinical Researchers Vital to Successful Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

Medical professionals that want to have an influence on patients and the treatment of their diseases can move beyond the traditional healthcare practitioner role and into a research role.  A clinical researcher is one medical profession that is critical for ensuring that the latest drug discoveries make it safely to the patients.  They design and control the clinical trials that are so important for finding new treatment options for mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by asbestos, as well as for other rare diseases.

A clinical trial is a critical stage in the arduous cancer research process and is central to finding a cure for mesothelioma.  Studies are used to help doctors and pharmaceutical companies find ways to improve a patient’s health and cancer care.  They may also offer the best available treatment for mesothelioma patients.

According to Laurin Mancour, CCRA, CCRP, RAC, Program Director of the Clinical Trials Research Associate Program at Durham Technical Community College, clinical researchers’ key roles include:

  • Designing and researching protocol;
  • Recruiting qualified and credentialed doctors and hospitals;
  • Ensuring that the proper drugs or devices are used appropriately on the right subjects;
  • Visiting clinical trial sites;
  • Ensuring the proper training of study monitors and coordinators; and
  • Thoroughly documenting all aspects of the study.

Mancour adds that clinical researchers “design, administer and navigate state, federal and international regulations to make the science we do safe and effective.”

Mesothelioma patients that participate in clinical trials not only help the medical community in general, but they can realize many benefits for their specific medical needs.  Clinical trials can focus on new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment and even towards slowing the progression of mesothelioma. 

For open mesothelioma clinical trials see ClinicalTrials.gov.