Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute Offers Educational Seminar on Clinical Trials Thursday, January 27

Online, January 10, 2011 (Newswire.com) - For some diagnosed with cancer, treatment options may seem limited. Clinical trials can offer cancer patients new, experimental treatment options, but, many people have unanswered questions. The Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute is offering a free seminar on Thursday, January 27 to educate community members on the benefits of clinical trials and trials currently available.

Amy Akins, clinical research nurse for the Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute, says there are many myths about clinical trials. "Our goal for the seminar is to help attendees understand the benefits of clinical trials. Often, a clinical trial gives a patient a promising new drug that wouldn't be available outside of the trial, making them among the first to benefit from the new approach if it is proven to work," says Akins. "In addition, participants in clinical trials are making a valuable contribution to cancer research."

The Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute offers access to national clinical trials through their affiliation with the National Cancer Institute, Nebraska Cancer Research Center, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Cancer Institute. The emphasis on clinical trials results in a higher percentage of patients enrolled in clinical research studies compared to the national average.

The seminar will be held in the lower level of the Saint Elizabeth Regional Medial Center at 6:00 p.m. To register, call 402.219.7000 or register online at www.SaintElizabethOnline.com by selecting events and classes.