On being a medical hero in the era of social media: Discussing clinical trial participation online

On being a medical hero in the era of social media: Discussing clinical trial participation online By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD “Garrett’s Hero Run” is not the name of a New York Times Bestseller or an up-and-coming blockbuster movie - though it could be. At the moment, it’s the name of a series of races held every year in a small town in Tennessee. A fundraiser name that is poignantly metaphorical. Everyone comes dressed as their favorite superhero and they run the races. But the name is also emblematic of urgency because this is a race against a [...]

Federal Agency Perspectives on Clinical Trial Eligibility: Spring 2018

Federal Agency Perspectives on Clinical Trial Eligibility: Spring 2018 “Most current [breast cancer] clinical trials only enroll what I call the metastatic cancer ‘Olympians:’ the healthiest of the dying, those who are on their first or second line of therapy, who have limited metastases, who don't have brain mets, who don't have other diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure,” Dr. Kelly Shanahan, an obstetrician-gynecologist, activist, consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense Cancer Research Program and patient with stage 4 breast cancer said in an interview via email.1 Dr. Shanahan’s description matches many of the concerns [...]