PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has released a free, on-demand webinar titled “Why Should I Consider a Clinical Trial?” to address common questions and misconceptions about cancer clinical trials. Available now on NCCN.org/patientwebinars, the session aims to empower patients with knowledge about how clinical trials contribute to advancing cancer treatment and improving outcomes.
The webinar, funded by the NCCN Foundation®, features leading professionals in oncology and patient advocacy. The presentation simplifies complex topics, aiming to make critical information accessible to all. Patients and caregivers can also access a supplemental handout summarizing the key points.
“Every standard treatment we have today was found by the intellect of science and the courage of patients who participated in clinical trials,” said Ann Fish-Steagall, RN, BSN, SVP of Patient Services and Health Care Delivery at LUNGevity, who served as one of the speakers. “Clinical trials provide the medical community with important building blocks to further research and improve treatment options for all.”
Patrick Delaney, Executive Director of the NCCN Foundation, highlighted the webinar’s goal of demystifying clinical trials. “Clinical trials are a cornerstone of cancer research, but many patients are unsure how to approach them,” he said. “Our goal with this webinar is to empower individuals with knowledge, address misconceptions, and make the whole process feel less daunting.”
The webinar tackles essential topics such as the purpose of cancer clinical trials, their role in treatment, risks and benefits, and how patients can access these trials. It also stresses the critical need for diverse participation to ensure new treatments are effective across all demographics.
“Diversity in clinical trial participation is essential to ensuring that new treatments work for everyone, regardless of their background,” Delaney added.
Tiffany Colvin, CCRP, Sr. Director of Clinical Trial Operations at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, emphasized the collaborative efforts required to conduct successful trials. “Without collaboration, we couldn’t offer the latest and greatest treatment options. We hold ourselves accountable to transparency, quality, safety, and integrity in conducting these clinical trials,” she said. Colvin also noted that trials provide patients with early access to promising therapies under rigorous supervision.
The webinar originally aired live on February 28, 2025, and was supported by contributions from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, Inc., and GSK.
For patients, caregivers, and others seeking clarity on clinical trials, the webinar provides an essential resource to better understand their potential role in cancer treatment.
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