News from the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program
April 15, 2016
Contact: Lyn Dobrin, 516-997-8545

Forum: “I Don’t Want To Be a Guinea Pig: Understanding the Benefits of Clinical Trials” on May 24

“I Don’t Want To Be a Guinea Pig: Understanding Clinical Trials” is the topic of a free forum to be held on Tuesday, May 24, from 6 to 8 pm, at Adelphi University in Garden City. On the panel are George Raptis, MD, MBA, acting executive director, Northwell Health Cancer Institute; Jan Stieb, RN. administrative director, Clinical Research, Northwell Health Cancer Institute; and Barbara, a current clinical trials patient.

Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. These studies also may show which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or groups of people.

“’I don’t want to be a guinea pig’ is a frequent response from patients offered cancer clinical trials,” says Dr. Raptis, “But without clinical trials, today’s patients would be getting yesterday’s treatments. And with the tremendous advances we are seeing in cancer research together we are responsible for delivering a still brighter future for our families and communities. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding about what clinical trials are, and what it means to participate in one.”  Dr. Raptis hopes that the panel discussion will shed light on the clinical trials process, debunking myths and perceptions.

The forum is a collaboration of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Program and Northwell Health Cancer Institute. It will be held at the Alumni House at Adelphi University (154 Cambridge Avenue, Garden City). Reservations are required.

To register call 516-877-4325 or E-mail breastcancerhotline@adelphi.edu or

register online at: breast-cancer.adelphi.edu/we-can-help/forums/  When registering specify that you will be attending the “I Don’t Want to be a Guinea Pig: Understanding the Benefits of Clinical Trials” forum.

The forum will livestream on YouTube: www.youtube.com/AUBreastCancer

This forum is sponsored by The Junior Coalition of the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer.