Personal cancer patient stories shared by participants in our trials shed light on what being a trial participant involves.
We are grateful to all those who have shared their experiences to help educate patients considering becoming part of a trial, their families, and other interested parties.
Roland Towning, from NSW, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2021. He joined the TROG 18.01 NINJA trial which is testing the effectiveness of using fewer, high-dose new radiation therapy treatments.
Sebastian Mysiorek, from Victoria, participated in the AGITG AGO407GR/TROG 08.08 TOPGEAR clinical trial investigating whether adding radiation therapy to chemotherapy prior to surgery is beneficial in gastric cancer.
Bob was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) of the neck in 2012. He was happy to be part of the TROG POST trial. “I’m a big believer that helping someone else is a good thing,” he said.
John was one of the first patients to sign-up to the TROG SPARK trial. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, John said the reduced number of hospital visits required was a key attraction.
Dave is from Pinjarra, Western Australia. After a diagnosis of throat cancer last year, Dave joined the TROG 12.03 (EAT) trial.
Tanya is from Newcastle, NSW. A shock breast cancer diagnosis led the mother-of-four to join the TROG 0806 (STARS) trial.
Viv was diagnosed with secondary lung cancer last year, the grandfather was determined not to let it derail his plans for the future.
Robert, who hails from New Zealand and was diagnosed with prostate cancer just prior to his 65th birthday. He decided to participate in the TROG 0803 (RAVES) trial.
Bev is from the Hunter Valley, NSW. A diagnosis of non-hodgkin lymphoma put her positive outlook on life to the test.
Participating in a clinical trial, like the TROG Cancer Research RAVES trial, often means more than just accessing new technology that could increase treatment and quality of life outcomes. For people like James, it’s about using an understandably challenging situation to help others.
Vic took part in TROG trial 08.01 (PROFIT) for prostate cancer patients. The PROFIT trial found that an eight-week course of radiation could be compressed safely into a four-week course, making the process quicker and more convenient for patients.
Lesley signed up for the TROG trial 06.02 (APBI) for breast cancer patients. The APBI trial tested whether partial breast irradiation could be given using a new technique called 3D conformal radiation therapy.
Carol participated in TROG trial 07.01 (DCIS) for breast cancer patients. In this trial, doctors are looking for better ways to treat people with DCIS by testing whether an additional dose of radiation called a boost improved the chances of the cancer not returning to the breast.
Like Vic, Sydney also took part in TROG trial 08.01 (PROFIT) for prostate cancer patients. The PROFIT trial helped cancer patients by condensing their treatment into just four weeks.
