Talking About Clinical Trials
Cancer Hope Network's TACT program incorporates clinical trials into the criteria that is considered when making those matches.
Cancer Hope Network is a non-profit organization that provides free and confidential one-on-one support to adult cancer patients and their families. That support is provided by matching people diagnosed with cancer and/or family members with trained volunteers who have themselves undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience. To learn more about us, please visit our website at http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org.
Cancer Hope Network’s TACT program incorporates clinical trials into the criteria that is considered when making those matches. Through this matching process we strive to provide support and hope and most importantly to answer the many questions you may have about the clinical trial experience by talking to someone who’s been there.
What is the purpose of the TACT program?
Deciding if participation in a clinical trial is right for you is not an easy decision. There are many issues to consider. The TACT program is based on matching people who are being offered a clinical trial for their cancer with someone who has participated in a clinical trial. This provides you the opportunity to ask and get answers to many of the questions only someone who’s gone through this decision-making process can answer. Being matched with a TACT volunteer can help you separate fact from fiction, myth, and misinformation.
Who is eligible for TACT services?
TACT is available to any adult diagnosed with cancer (and their loved ones) who is considering a clinical trial for treatment of their cancer. An oncologist should have confirmed that the patient is a candidate for a clinical trial.
How is this support offered?
All of Cancer Hope Network’s support is provided on a confidential one-on-one basis (either by telephone or face to face) with one of our trained volunteers. There is no cost for this service.
How would I be matched with a TACT volunteer?
If you are offered participation in a clinical trial for treatment of your cancer, simply call Cancer Hope Network. After taking your diagnosis and clinical trial information, Cancer Hope Network will match you with one of our volunteers. A TACT match will be based mainly upon our volunteer’s participation in a clinical trial.
Who are the individuals who serve as TACT volunteers?
Our volunteers are caring people who have been through a cancer experience and who want to help others as they deal with this disease in their lives. TACT volunteers are people who, after being diagnosed with cancer, participated in a clinical trial for treatment of their cancer. They know the fears and uncertainty surrounding a cancer diagnosis and its treatment because they’ve been there.
What type of support can I expect from your volunteer?
Cancer Hope Network’s TACT volunteers share their personal cancer experience with others. They provide emotional support, encouragement, and information regarding their clinical trial experiences. The services of Cancer Hope Network are not meant to take the place of those you receive from your doctor, nurse, social worker, or any other medical professional. In fact, our volunteers are specifically instructed in their training program not to provide recommendations of physicians, treatments, or treatment facilities.
Talk with someone who knows what you’re going through…
Call Toll Free: 877-467-3638
E-mail: info@cancerhopenetwork.org
