The Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) released its first Lung Cancer Research Report and announced the formation of the Georgia Lung Cancer Working Group to expand clinical research and treatment.According to Nancy M. Paris, President of Georgia CORE, “This report shows greater access to lung cancer research than previously thought. There are approximately 38 lung cancer studies being conducted at 31 sites across Georgia. This is indicative of a strong commitment from Georgia’s oncologists to address a deadly disease.” Lung cancer accounts for 16% of all cancer diagnoses in Georgia and 30% of all cancer deaths. It is the primary result of cancer deaths in both women and men and resulted in 4,860 deaths in Georgia during 2006.
It was previously known that lung cancer clinical trials were available in greater Atlanta. The report reveals that trials are distributed across the state in cities including Rome, Gainesville, Athens, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Valdosta, Albany and Savannah.
Oncologists have brought leading treatment, preventative and supportive care trials to the state. In fact, lung cancer mortality is the greatest in the south and east portions of the state, according to the report. According to Fadlo R. Khuri, MD, Professor, the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University “Research conducted simultaneously in academic centers and community practices holds great promise for answering the most critical questions about lung cancer detection and treatment. The more investigators there are studying the disease using protocols, the higher the standard of care.”
Many oncologists have voiced their concerns that lung cancer, which lacks the advantage of early detection through screening, is difficult to diagnose and manage. They agree that further research is needed to ensure optimal care for lung caner patients and will use the Georgia CORE clinical research network to launch additional studies and exchange data on promising treatment modalities.
The passion of Georgia CORE’s physicians and nurses to conquer lung cancer is the impetus for the creation of the Lung Cancer Working Group. “We are committed to conquering lung cancer through research. Georgians deserve to have state of the art lung cancer treatment. The Lung Cancer Working Group will bring oncologists from across the state together to make this happen,” says Dr. Rodolfo Bordoni, Georgia CORE Board member and medical oncologist with Georgia Cancer Specialists.
The purpose of the Lung Cancer Working Group is to offer easy access to state of the art
comprehensive care, using education and cutting edge clinical research to expand treatment options for all lung cancer patients. Members of the group include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, epidemiologists, statisticians, and research nurses from across the state. The Lung Cancer Working Group is currently prioritizing lung cancer trials and creating new studies.
Cancer is a major health problem that affects the lives of many Georgians. Each year, approximately 4,951 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in Georgia; thereby making lung cancer the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Georgia.
- Lung cancer accounts for 16 percent of all cancer diagnoses in Georgia.
- Lung cancer deaths account for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in Georgia.
- An estimated 4,860 Georgians will die of lung cancer in 2006 alone.
Most Impacted Areas in Georgia
- South, east, and northwest Georgia have a significantly higher rate of new lung cancer cases and lung cancer death rates than the state rate.
Clinical Trials in Georgia
- According to Georgia Cancer Trials, there are 38 active lung cancer protocols in the state.
- The protocols are offered at 31 sites across the state.
- The active protocols are comprised of 33 “treatment”, 1 “prevention”, 1 “supportive care” and 3 “other” trials.
- Most of the lung cancer protocols are phase 2 and 3 trials.
- Approximately 70 percent of the active lung cancer protocols are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
The Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by the Georgia Cancer Coalition. Georgia CORE works to improve the quality of cancer care by strengthening research. For more information about the Lung Cancer Working Group, please visit www.georgiacore.org or contact Shaunta Parker at 404-584-8697.
