Unit Manager Linda Raineri has steered the Oncology Clinical Trial Unit for the past two years.
Eligible cancer patients are being informed about the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial, to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge for themselves and others with the same disease or condition.
“Clinical trials are research studies performed in people for the purpose ofevaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioural intervention,” says Linda Raineri, Peninsula Health Oncology Clinical Trial Unit Manager.
“They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment, like a new drug is safe and effective in people.”
Since first joining Peninsula Health two years ago, Linda, her team of trial coordinators together with the medical oncologists at Frankston Hospital, have witnessed the rapid growth of the Oncology clinical trial portfolio from just a handful of opened studies to nearly 20 clinical trials.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve,” she says.
“Clinical trials provide great opportunities for our patients to gain access to new cancer treatments which may improve their cancer outcomes compared with standard care.”
Linda says there are a variety of clinical trials in the pipeline.
“We currently have 18 recruiting Oncology Clinical trials in various tumours from Breast, Gastrointestinal, Lung, Prostate, Bladder and Kidney cancers,” she says.
“There are several additional trials which are scheduled to open in the coming few months.”
“If you’re interested in getting involved, speak to your oncologist about a suitable clinical trial for you or look up clinical trials on the Cancer Council Victoria website.”
To contact the Peninsula Health Oncology Clinical Trial Unit: phone (03) 9784 7175 or email: oncologyresearch@phcn.vic.gov.au