Clinical Trials and Research

What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Clinical trials are available for all stages of cancer and are an option to think about. They are the final step in a long process that begins with research in a lab. Most cancer treatments we use today are the result of past clinical trials.

Clinical trials are designed to test new ways to:

• Treat cancer
• Find and diagnose cancer
• Prevent cancer
• Manage symptoms of cancer or side effects from its treatment

Munson Medical Center has participated in cancer clinical trials for over thirty years as a member institution of a program sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. This program offers patients in our community the ability to participate in large, national research trials while remaining at home.

Cancer Research Consortium of West Michigan

• Munson is part of this updated network of 11 West Michigan hospitals, healthcare systems, physicians, and researchers who work together to provide cancer education and access to the newest cancer clinical trials.
• This consortium was one of only 32 community sites selected across the country as a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Program community site, and one of only two sites in Michigan. New trials become available monthly. For more information, please visit crcwm.org.
• Munson Medical Center also implements cancer clinical trials that are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, which often provide the newest cancer treatments before they become widely available. We also work together with the University of Michigan's researchers and clinicians to bring more trials to Northern Michigan.
• For more information, call 231-935-2460 or email cancerservices@mhc.net.
• For more information on clinical trials that are available nationally visit clinicaltrials.gov.