 'LETHAL DOSE: ONE MAN'S JOURNEY THROUGH A PHASE 1 DRUG TRIAL,' by Pat Maddocks.
Now Available! LETHAL DOSE is an emotionally gripping testament--an intense love story that, in turn, becomes a pulse-pounding suspense story; a medical misconduct drama; a gut-wrenching tragedy and a call to arms.
Have you Read LETHAL DOSE? Tell Us What You Think
 NOW is the time to TAKE ACTION: Download and sign the prewritten letter to the Minister of Health. Postage is not required. Now is a GREAT TIME to send your letter and make a difference - click here to read Hon. Judy Sgro's response to reading Lethal Dose (pdf, opens in new window)
View Comments from Readers
Available soon on Amazon.com, with the e-book version coming out in November 2011. Also now available at your local library - just ask your local librarian..
Take Action: Download and sign the prewritten letter to the Minister of Health. Postage is not required.
Free Nursing Support and Resources
for Phase I Cancer Clinical Trial Volunteers
 It Was News to Me!
This new section highlights useful and little-known snippets of information for Phase 1 Cancer Clinical Trial Volunteers as well as cancer patients in general. With thanks to the clinical trials subjects who were key to providing us with this remedy.
Break-through Pain Medication will Soon Available in Canada
Immediate and convenient break-through pain control will soon be available here in Canada. Many cancer patients have been able to achieve consistent control of their pain.
However, sometimes that control can be interrupted by any extra-ordinary physical exertion. An action such as shifting out of bed or a trip to the doctor's office can cause pain levels to escalate or 'break through.' Such physical movements can be anticipated and there are remedies that can be implemented.
But, coming soon, the administration of break-through pain medication will become much easier and faster acting for the short period of time required. These new medictions are designed to be applied to the interior of the mouth--either under the tongue or directly to the lining of the cheek. One well-proven product is in the form of a lollipop. Ask your doctor or palliative care specialist about availability.
Sedation Therapy: Sleep Through Your Death
The excruciating pain associated with some forms of cancer and the attending high levels of anxiety cannot always be controlled effectively. If this is your situation and the end of your life is imminent, your doctor / palliative specialist can administer a finely-tuned combination of sedatives that will facilitate a calm exit. The decision to adlopt this course of action cannot be hastily initiated and so must have extensive discussion prior to the need arising. More information and some excellent further links can be found at the bottom of the page at:
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jpm.2006.0139
Ritalin for Fatigue
Ritalin can be used to combat the debilitating fatigue that is often associated with cancer.
You might wish to attend some gala event or host your own Living Wake but you know you just cannot muster the necessary oomph. Talk to your doctor or palliative specialist who might be able to prescribe a dose of Ritalin that can give you enough energy to handle the event – for up to 4 hours.
Public Clinical Trial Registry Issues: To protect patients and promote transparency and accountability, *Research with Respect* supports the WHO's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, which calls for the public registering of all clinical trials. Please see our Research Issues page for detailed information.
Free Nursing Support
for Phase I Cancer
Clinical Trial Volunteers
Phase 1 cancer clinical trials only accept terminally-ill cancer patients as test subjects, who must agree to relocate, at their own expense, near the research facility for the first month of the trial. The trials are conducted on an 'out-patient' basis.
Our Foundation recognizes that this is a huge 'ask' of these very ill people and their worried families. *Research with Respect* provides the following services:
• Daily visit by a Bayshore Home Health nurse
• Pain and symptom management review
• Client education
• Emotional support
• Liaison with cancer research centres
*Research with Respect* is available in Vancouver and Toronto.
If you are or are thinking of becoming a Phase 1 Cancer Clinical Trial volunteer, anywhere in Canada, Call Toll Free: 1 866 265-1920
For more information or to register for services, call Toll Free: 1-866-265-1920
*Research with Respect* is a free support program, developed by Bayshore Home Health, for Phase I Cancer Clinical Trial Volunteers. This program is paid for by Canadian national charitable foundation 'Bear Ring "U" 'n Mind.' This is an independent foundation, with no connection to the pharmaceutical or research industry. Funding for the *Research with Respect* program comes entirely from private Canadian citizens, some of whose loved ones have been Phase I Clinical Cancer Trial Volunteers.
About Bayshore Home Health
Bayshore Home Health developed the clinical guidelines for the *Research with Respect* program. The company drew on its extensive experience in community care and adapted its
protocols to help volunteers in Phase 1 trials.
Bayshore Home Health provides registered
nurses who work with trial volunteers to improve their quality of life during their
participation in the trials.
Canadian owned and operated, Bayshore Home Health is Canada's largest provider of home
and community health care services, with more than 40 home care offices, 20 community care clinics
and 8,000 employees.
BCCA Consent Form Template
We have now uploaded a scanned copy of the 15-page BCCA Consent Form Template - a must-read for anyone considering a Phase I Oncology Trial. This document contains instructions and guidelines for researchers detailing what information they must provide to you and how they must present that information.
The impressive improvements in the care provided to people diagnosed with cancer has, in great part, been achieved by terminally ill people who have donated their most precious asset--their life--to the betterment of their fellow human beings.
A Phase 1 Clinical Research Trial is the first time a cancer treatment is tried on human beings. Scientists subject successive small groups of terminally-ill cancer patients to higher doses of experimental drugs until it becomes obvious that the patient is experiencing adverse side effects (AE's) that are potentially life-threatening.
Researchers do not know at what dosage the test drugs will be lethal. The health benefit to the Phase 1 patient is likely to be minimal. However, the terminally-ill patient's contribution to the drug development process is huge.
The Phase 1 clinical trial research patient is likely to have his or her ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADL's) severely compromised much earlier and more dramatically than if their cancer were to progress as predicted. The risk of death, not necessarily from their cancer, but due to severe adverse effects (SAE's) caused by the experimental treatment, is high.
Our organization is committed to actively expressing our deep appreciation of the generous donation that Phase 1 volunteers make to the fight against cancer. We strive to supply you with useful information, effective self-monitoring tools and compassionate action.
The goal of *Research with Respect* is to make potential volunteers aware of the role that they and their caregivers must play in the Phase 1 exercise. You must retain your personal power and not turn your autonomy over to the research team. "Research with Respect" provides support, networking and self-help tools to help in the retention of that power.
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