GLENEAGLES Medical Centre Penang

HOC monthly newsletter September 2005

Clinical Trials – Why do we

need them? Should you
participate?
Dr Lee Thong Chow, who heads
the Gleneagles Clinical Research
Centre in Penang, gave an
excellent presentation regarding
this issue. We do need clinical
Next support trials and patients are encouraged Dr Lee giving his talk on clinical
group to participate. Many patients have trials
meeting: benefited from clinical trials. An
7.30 pm, 15th ethics committee comprising of 6 th Support Group Meeting
September doctors and laypersons including Topic: Exercise and Cancer:
2005 religious leaders and lawyers will Do I need to exercise?
Topic for Speaker: Ms Jenny Tan,
consider the merits of each trial
discussion: Physiotherapist.
before approving it, thus ensuring
Exercise and Time: 7.30 to 9.30 pm
the welfare of the patients is the
Cancer: Do I main priority. Date: 15th September 2005,
need to Dr. Lee informed us that there Thurs
exercise? have been many clinical trials Venue: Lecture Hall, 6th Floor,
Speaker: Ms being done for cancer patients in GMC Penang
Jenny Tan, Only for patients, relatives and
Malaysia, and Penang is one of
Physiotherapist caregivers
the main sites, with Mt Miriam
and Gleneagles. For catering purposes, your confirmation with Ms
Mabel, Dr Leong’s secretary at 04 2202189.is
much appreciated. Thanks.

Renovations in progress in Gleneagles Medical Centre, Penang.

. The Public Relations Department
In
challenges, has been renovated to create a better
atmosphere for our patients.
we will
Renovations are also happening to
triumph
cater for the new dialysis area and
Prepared by the other new services. We thank you
Haematology for bearing with us the
– Oncology inconveniences and noise pollution.
Centre, GMC We apologise for the
Penang inconveniences.

Focus website of the month: http://www.breastcancermalaysia.org

This is a good website for information on breast cancer. Also in Bahasa Malaysia. Created
by UPM and Cornell University.
GLENEAGLES Medical Centre Penang
HOC monthly newsletter Back page, September 2005

Clincal Trials: Do we need them in cancer treatment?

Medications did not drop down from the sky. It is through tedious research
and development that they come about. It may be sourced from our natural
environment or created in the laboratory after understanding the molecular
structures and targets in cancer.
All medications (drugs) have been tested extensively in volunteers. Every
cancer medication went through a study (trail) phase. Thus, every
medication a cancer patient is on has been previously studied in patients
Next support who have volunteered. If not for their altruism, these medications would not
group exist.
meeting:
7.30 pm, 15th Reasons patients may want to participate in cancer studies (trails)
September 1. Altruism. Want to help science and mankind
2005 2. Have a chance to use new medications that offer hope to treat
Topic: a cancer, especially no other medication available.
Exercise and 3. Able to have cancer treatment with minimal cost.
Cancer: Do I
Types of clinical studies (trials)
need to
Phase I: study for the accurate dose and mainly to check for side
exercise?:
Speaker: Ms effects. Benefits (efficacy) of the medication are also tested.
Phase II: More patients are now given the medication to mainly
Jenny Tan,
Physiotherapist assess if it works.
Phase III: Mainly to test how well the medication works, especially
compared to other medications.

In
challenges,
we will
triumph

Prepared by the
Haematology
– Oncology
Centre, GMC
Penang
Many people and organizations are involved to make a
clinical study / trial as safe as it can possibly.
(IRB/IEC= ethics board)

Focus on medications:
Thalidomide (Thalix) is an old medication that has found a new use. Thalidomide is able
to interfere with new blood vessels formation and also modulate the immune system to
fight certain cancers. It is useful in myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis (which are
pre-cancer stages), multiple myeloma and renal cell carcinoma. It may also be useful in
hepatoc ellular carcinomas. However, it needs special permission to be used, as it is a
controlled item. No pregnant lady should be in contact with the medication as it causes
severe damage to the baby.