Why Clinical Trial Participation Is Important

Dr. Keith Crawford, PHEN’s Director of Clinical Trials and Patient Education, presented on The Importance of Clinical Trial Participation at the Charlotte Prostate Cancer Community Rally educational program. A video of prostate cancer survivor Art Cain was also shared in which audience members learned about his prostate cancer journey and clinical trial participation. Mr. Cain underwent a biopsy, a bone scan, and a CT scan. He underwent treatment with radium seeds and external beam radiation. After another round of bone and CT scans, his cancer did not metastasize, but his PSA level continued to rise.

Yet, after additional testing, he was found to have cancer in his bones. He received hormone therapies including Lupron and the bone-strengthening agent Xgeva. While his PSA level initially declined, it began rising again after a short period. Art Cain’s support group told him about Duke Cancer Center’s Dr. Daniel George who was conducting a clinical trial. After meeting with Dr. George, he joined the PANTHER clinical trial, which helped save his life.