Cancer Prevention: What You Need To Know
Cancer Prevention Studies
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed by Cancer
Center Staff
Creation Date: 1996
Last Revision Date: September 2006
A clinical trial is a research study in human volunteers to answer a specific health question. It is usually to study a new prevention method, diagnostic test, or treatment. They hope to find new and better ways to help cancer patients or individuals at high risk for developing cancer. In the United States today, on-going cancer prevention trials are studying methods to prevent cancers of the breast, cervix, colon and rectum, endometrium, esophagus, head and neck, lung, prostate, and skin. Some of the methods being studied include the importance of a diet low in fat, but rich in carotenoids, fish oil, soy products, wheat bran fiber, calcium, aspirin, folic acid, Vitamins D and E, and medications such as tamoxifen, raloxifene, sulindac, and fenretinide.
Cancer Prevention Trials at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center staff are participating in several national cancer prevention studies.
Vitamin D/Calcium Polyp Prevention Study
The Vitamin D/Calcium Polyp Prevention Study is a clinical trial tracking people known to have colon polyps, to learn if using vitamins and minerals can prevent new polyp formation. This study is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Prospective Study of Risk-Reducing Salpingo-oophrectomy and Longitudinal CA-125 Screening
This ovarian cancer risk reducing study is for women who are at increased genetic risk of ovarian cancer. It includes surgery (removal of tubes and ovaries) and long term screening with CA-125 blood test.
These trials are accepting new people for the study. If you would like to learn more about the studies, please call the Cancer Information Service (800-237-1225) or e-mail: cancer-information@uiowa.edu
No Longer Recruiting New Participants But Following Persons Already Enrolled
The following studies are no longer enrolling new volunteers, but are following those people who previously enrolled.
Agricultural Health Study
This study is sponsored by the NCI. It is looking at the potential causes of cancer and other chronic diseases among farmers, their families, and people who apply pesticides for a living.. The study is no longer enrolling people into the study, but is following up on exposure histories and disease experience of the more than 58,000 people enrolled.
The Selenium and Vitamin E Chemoprevention Trial (SELECT)
A prostate cancer prevention trial, the Selenium and Vitamin E Chemoprevention trial began in 2001. The study is paid for by the NCI and the Southwest Oncology Group. The trial is evaluating the effect of selenium and vitamin E (alone and in combination) in preventing prostate cancer. The study is looking at healthy men over the age of 55.
STAR Trial (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene)
The STAR trial was meant to compare the effect of two drugs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, in reducing the incidence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women at increased risk of developing the disease. The trial is being sponsored by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the NCI. The trial recruited 22,000 women in more than 400 centers throughout the United States and Canada, including the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study is no longer taking new women for the trial. The ladies who volunteered for the study are being followed for breast cancer at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WIN Study)
The WIN Study will determine if eating habits influence a woman's risk of breast cancer coming back. In this study, women who were diagnosed with breast cancer within the last year were assigned to one of two different nutrition plans. The study will conclude if a low-fat diet helps prevent a recurrence of breast cancer. The study is sponsored by the NCI and has recruited 2,000 women through out the US.
National Lung Screening Trial (NLST)
NLST is comparing two ways of finding lung cancer: spiral computed tomography (CT) and standard chest x-ray. Both tests have been used to diagnose lung cancer early. So far, neither chest x-rays nor spiral CT scans has been shown to reduce a person's chance of dying from lung cancer. This study aims to show if either test is better in reducing deaths from this disease. No new participants are being added to the study at this time. The people enrolled earlier, are being followed at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
As with any treatment, prevention methods may have side effects along with good effects. The benefits and risks of each treatment need to be discussed with your doctor. If you are interested in learning more about these studies at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, or about other cancer prevention studies available in the United States, please call the Cancer Information Service at 800-237-1225 or e-mail: cancer-information@uiowa.edu.
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