Beacon Clinic does its utmost to provide the best care to all of our cancer patients, regardless of the type of cancer or the treatments that our patients are undergoing. In line with our commitment to be at the cutting edge of oncology care, one of the options we offer is access to clinical trials.
Clinical trials are research studies undertaken by medical and research institutions that involve human participants. They are a vital part of cancer research and are intended to provide care practitioners everywhere with data and information on innovative treatments that can be used to treat patients more effectively.
At Beacon Clinic, we are dedicated to helping our patients to find the best path forward during their cancer journey. If we believe that you would be suitable for and benefit from a clinical trial, we will do our utmost to make that option open to you.
Benefits of Participating in Clinical Trials in Coeur d’Alene
Clinical trials are generally carried out by large research institutions. While Beacon Clinic does not itself conduct such studies, we do have a research team headed by one of our doctors who has extensive experience working with clinical trials. Consequently, if you opt to and are selected to participate in one of these trials, you will receive direct support and supervision right here in Coeur d’Alene.
Not every patient can participate in a clinical trial. However, our team of care providers will find out if you meet the eligibility profile of any ongoing trials, and help you to investigate whether participation might benefit you. Here are some advantages that may apply to participation:
- Medical professionals will be very closely monitoring your health;
- You may have access to promising treatments and therapies that are not publicly available;
- The treatment being tested may be more effective than alternative treatments;
- You will help researchers and doctors learn more about cancer and how to treat it for future cancer patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oncology Clinical Trials
Who Can Participate?
Each clinical trial has specific qualifications for the patients who participate. Typical requirements may include patients with only a specific type of cancer, or who meet certain other requirements in terms of age, physical condition, health history, and so on. To determine whether you are eligible, our staff will review the profile being sought by the researchers, and do a thorough evaluation of your status to determine whether you are a good fit for any trial. We will also explain all the requirements that would be imposed on you by the trial, and if there are any costs involved.
Are Cancer Research Trials Dangerous?
A clinical trial is one of the last stages in testing any new therapy or treatment. Consequently, by the time of the trial, a treatment has been tested thoroughly in a lab setting and is considered safe for testing on human participants.
However, it should be noted that any cancer treatment carries a risk of adverse effects, including traditional therapies. In consideration of this possibility, and to fully evaluate the therapy being tested, clinical trials require that subjects be monitored very closely and frequently by medical personnel to determine the effects of the therapy on every patient. If participants suffer ill effects, or simply decide, even in the middle of the trial, that they do not want to continue participating, they are free to pull out.
What Will the Clinical Trial Be Testing?
There is no set formula for what a clinical trial may test. Trials have been used for everything from testing new drugs or new therapies, the effect of nutritional or vitamin therapies, or the effectiveness of behavioral, exercise, or nutritional regimens and so on. A trial may focus on finding a cure, on recurrence, on quality of life issues, on treatment, or on recovery following treatment. So the answer to the question, “What will the clinical trial be testing?” will vary, depending entirely on the researchers, and it is up to you to determine whether you think participation is worthwhile.
Could I Receive a Placebo Pill or Treatment?
Cancer clinical trials can sometimes involve a placebo pill or treatment–that is, a treatment that does nothing, on purpose, in order to create a “control” group against which a new therapy is tested. However, in no case do cancer clinical trials leave a patient with no treatment at all. If a placebo is used as part of the trial, it will only be used in conjunction with a standard therapy, to help the researchers compare the new treatment against the standard treatment. Further, you will be informed whether a placebo is used in the trial.
Beacon Clinic is involved with clinical trials because they can allow patients to receive innovative therapies and treatments and help all oncology care providers to improve their understanding of cancer. If you would like to consider participating in a clinical trial or need more information about them, come talk to Beacon Clinic today and allow our team to help you navigate your cancer journey.
A new cancer diagnosis can be emotional and overwhelming, with patients and loved ones often not knowing where to start, who to involve, and what options are available. At Beacon Clinic, we strive to create an environment that is intimate, convenient and easily accessible, and we do our best to streamline the process and help you answer all of your questions in a way that aligns with your individual goals of care. At Beacon, you will be able to access resources, services, and a level of personalized support that other facilities and healthcare settings are not able to provide.
1. Dedicated Specialists
Our care team is made up of individuals who have dedicated their careers and talents to treating and caring for cancer patients. Our staff has extensive experience working with individuals facing many different types of cancers, and our facilities are designed to provide cancer patients with the specialized support they need in an intimate setting that is easy to navigate. This enables us to provide compassionate, knowledgeable, and understanding care that is hard to match in a more generalized or larger-scale setting.
2. Human Connection
Treating cancer is not like other medical interventions. It is an ongoing journey, and having a care team with whom you can build a relationship of trust and have a close connection will make a tremendous difference in how you manage your treatment as it progresses. At Beacon, you’ll work with the same familiar faces and team of medical professionals throughout your treatment and recovery. We will be invested in your care and outcome, supporting you through the hard days and celebrating your victories with you.
3. Access to Clinical Trials and Current Research
Cancer treatments have changed dramatically throughout the last several decades, and promising new discoveries and innovations are constantly arising. The physicians and other healthcare professionals at our cancer center are passionate about what is happening in cancer research so that we can offer our clients the highest quality care. We stay abreast of the most cutting-edge therapies in the hematology/oncology field, and we offer numerous clinical trials for various cancer types (e.g., head & neck, bladder, melanoma, sarcoma, etc.) in a small, outpatient setting that is easier to navigate than the larger institutions and facilities that typically offer these research opportunities.
4. Supportive Services
Having access to supportive services can provide you with a better quality of life and alleviate stressors during your cancer journey. We offer supportive services related to nutritional, rehabilitative, and even financial concerns. Our financial counselors, for example, who focus exclusively on the hematology/oncology space, are truly the best of the best when it comes to mitigating the financial woes of a cancer diagnosis, and their success at securing grants and other available assistance for our patients is unmatched. Our team understands that cancer is much more than just a medical diagnosis, and we take a comprehensive approach to support you personally, financially, and otherwise to ensure you have the most positive and informed experience possible.
5. Nutritional Awareness
We can help you navigate nutritional choices to help you to make your treatment work more effectively. Our goal is to make sure your nutritional needs are being met and to help you make healthful choices in planning your meals during treatment and recovery. We know that consuming nutritious foods in the proper amounts will help your body respond better to treatment and give it the energy it needs to fight and heal.
6. Integrated Treatments
The medical team at our care center will work in tandem with your other care providers to give you the highest level of care possible. We will consistently communicate with other members of your care team, including physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, chiropractors, and other healthcare providers, updating and modifying your treatment plan as necessary. Having all your care providers work together ensures you receive holistic care that focuses on all aspects of your health, not just your cancer.
7. Patient-Focused Care
Everything we do at Beacon revolves around our belief in providing patient-focused, compassionate care. We take care of our patients the way we would want ourselves or our loved ones to be treated. Our team views the work we do as a mission, as a vocation. We often say that while we cannot control the disease, we can control the way our patient’s experience it, and we strive to do everything we can to make the experience the best it can be. Navigating your journey with cancer is never easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Beacon, you will know that your care team is treating you with the care and attention you deserve. Contact Beacon Clinic today, and let us guide and support you and your loved ones on your cancer journey.
When you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed and alone. Sometimes, you may feel other emotions: shock, grief, anger, or despair. Patients need not push these feelings aside. At Beacon Clinic, we can help patients work through them and understand that these feelings are normal and natural.
At some point, you understand that your life is more than cancer. Shifting your focus toward finding a care provider that promotes wellness specifically for cancer patients is a paramount step in the right direction. Beacon Clinic focuses on providing patients with the supportive, holistic, nurturing care they need while navigating their cancer journey.
We Offer Wellness Care for Cancer Patients
Having a compassionate support system is a valuable asset when you’re contending with cancer. While some individuals may have family or friends who can offer them the social support they need, many other people do not or find they need someone who has experienced the unique challenges that cancer presents. That’s why it’s essential to have a care team that can educate you, advocate for your best interests, and tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs and preferences.
At Beacon Clinic, we are committed to going above and beyond for our patients. Whether it’s taking a few moments to chat or finding out whether you can participate in cutting-edge treatments, our medical care professionals provide cancer patients with the quality of care they would like to receive themselves. Providing patient-focused, supportive care enables us to make each patient’s journey with cancer as positive as possible.
Nutritional Counseling
We apply a holistic approach to cancer care services. That includes working with patients to determine what diet will give their body the fuel it needs as it contends with both cancer and its treatment. A key aspect of our care support includes the input of a registered dietician who is available to provide patients with information and recommendations for diet changes and choices to optimize their body’s ability to fight and recover from cancer.
In addition to recommendations, we offer a variety of supplements to assist patients who need additional nutritional support to give their bodies the best chance for recovery. We also provide guidance to patients who are dealing with treatment side effects that can cause food aversions and nausea.
Rehabilitation and Therapy
We work diligently to ensure that our patients access therapies and rehabilitation programs that improve their quality of life and overall prognosis. Patients receive an all-encompassing care plan that prevents any area of care from being neglected. By collaborating with patients’ chiropractors, physical therapists, and alternative care providers, we enable our patients to work towards their goals wholly supported.
Financial Counseling
We know that cancer treatment can cause a financial strain on patients and their families. We also know that adding financial worries to an already stressful situation is not in the best interest of our patients.
Our onsite financial counselor is available to explain insurance coverage, deductibles, projected costs, and other matters. Part of our support is helping patients understand the costs of care and treatment so that they can make wise choices and ease their economic anxieties.
This support service is one that truly differentiates us from other care centers. Our counselors will not only help patients apply for grants and other forms of financial assistance but also arrange lodging and transportation for the patient should they need it. Our team also works closely with pharmaceutical companies and cancer foundations to help with prescription assistance and come up with other creative ways to alleviate the financial stressors patients may be facing.
A cancer diagnosis is often a marathon and not a sprint, but our team stops at nothing to make your journey as positive as possible and to be there for you every step of the way. If you or a loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, we would be honored to offer you high-quality, personally tailored care. Contact us today at Beacon Clinic in Coeur d’Alene.
Cancer can be overcome, and at Beacon Clinic, our goal is to provide our patients with the highest level of personalized care and the most innovative therapies available to do just that.
1) Our Mission Is You
At Beacon, we believe we are partners with our patients. Our team, from the healthcare providers to the support staff at every level, are devoted to treating patients like family, offering personalized service at each step of your cancer journey.
We understand that cancer is often the greatest challenge a person will face in life. We commit to walking alongside you and supporting you throughout the process, from diagnosis through treatment and into recovery. Our lighthouse logo says it all: we are about security and hope during a time when you may feel lost and in need of a guiding light.
2) We Believe in the Power of Relationships
We have carefully constructed a network of professional and community relationships so that we can provide patient-focused, quality service in our most important relationships of all: the ones we have with our patients.
We work with healthcare providers and wellness professionals throughout the community and can connect you with the professionals best able to help you. We also work closely with experts from renowned academic centers such as the University of Washington, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Mayo Clinic, and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
3) Our Care Is Tailored to Your Unique Situation
We know that every person’s situation is unique to them, and our goal is to integrate treatment and care in a way that makes things as easy as possible in navigating your way through treatment. We offer innovative therapies on-site as well as an oral medication dispensary, lab facilities, care coordination with other physician offices, financial counseling, referrals for physical therapy, nutrition and other supportive services, and more.
Our approach is to enable you to see your doctor, undergo treatment, access medications, and have lab work done all in one place. Living with cancer is difficult enough without having to spend your time tracking multiple appointments at multiple locations, or wondering if all of them are communicating effectively and working together to give you the attention you need. Our services are designed to allow you to save time and frustration, knowing that every aspect of your care is integrated and intentional.
4) We Don’t Just Treat the Cancer
When you address your health and wellness at every level, you place yourself in the best position to overcome your cancer. We work closely with registered dieticians who are available to help you develop an evidence-based nutritional plan to help you balance your diet, meet your nutritional goals, and give your body the strength it needs to overcome cancer.
We also offer financial counseling, help with rehabilitation and physical therapy, chiropractic and naturopathic referrals, and anything else you may need to regain strength and function, improve your quality of life, and continue to enjoy living independently in recovery.
5) We Offer Access to Innovative Clinical Trials
Clinical research trials provide access to next-level treatments before they hit the mainstream market and are vital to ensuring we are providing the best cancer care available. Dr. Danko Martincic, who leads our research team, has worked in nationwide studies and dozens of clinical trials for over two decades and is passionate about getting our patients access to the latest trials and cutting-edge therapies. We will work closely with you to determine whether a clinical trial is the best option for your particular situation.
These are just a few of the benefits of working with us. If you have had a cancer diagnosis, connect with us today at Beacon Clinic to find out how we work together toward healing.
