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Regional Cancer Center: Research
360.514.2155

"We have been part of many clinical trials in America and the world. Clinical trials move medical knowledge ahead safely." —Beth Getman, RN, BSN, OCN, CCRP, Cancer Services and Cancer Research

Finding the Best Treatment Options for Cancer for Now and the Future

The Southwest Cancer Center is an active participant in Columbia River Oncology Program, (CROP), a National Cancer Institute (NCI) accredited consortium of eight local hospitals working together to bring clinical trials to the Vancouver/Portland area.

Free! Click here to download Southwest's brochure, Investigational Studies for Cancer Research, which describes types of clinical research studies, Southwest's partnerships worldwide, how to apply to be part of a study, and what to expect.

Our Services

Southwest has been involved in cancer research since 1986. Today we still follow the first patient put on a study, and we are happy to report that our patient remains disease-free. When our patients enroll in a clinical trial, many are followed for the rest of their lifetime.

The research team helps physicians identify patients who would potentially be eligible to participate in approved clinical trials that are open here. These include specific types of cancer, cancer prevention trials, quality of life studies, symptom management, and targeted therapies, such as with genetic testing. (A sample list is below.)

Southwest's Regional Cancer Center is an active participant in the Columbia River Oncology Program (CROP), a National Cancer Institute (NCI) accredited consortium of eight local hospitals working together to bring clinical trials to the Vancouver/Portland area. Through CROP the Regional Cancer Center is associated with:

• Children's Oncology Group (COG)
• Clinical Trial Support Unit (CTSU)
• M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Program (NSABP)
• Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
• Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
• University of Rochester
• Other research studies and clinical trials

More than 150 open protocols (cancer treatment "recipes") are currently available to patients through the Regional Cancer Center and CROP.

In the News

Experimental cancer treatment helps Paul Hutchison become cancer-free (3 minute video)

Lung cancer vaccine: a no-return policy (July/August 2008 Southwest Health magazine)

You Can Help

Through a fund set up by the Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation, you can support the Regional Cancer Center's research efforts, our genetic testing program, outreach services, mammograms for low-income patients, risk assessment, prevention efforts and the purchase of educational materials for cancer support groups. You can make a donation by downloading the form and mailing it in with your donation.

Clinical Trials 

Southwest's involvement in breast cancer research has included:

• Effectiveness of Tamoxifen
• Use of chemotherapy for breast cancer patients
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
• Pre-op chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment
• Dose-dense chemo for breast cancer therapy
• Sentinel node breast surgery, resulting in less invasive surgery and decreased surgical side effects
• Use of radiation and Tamoxifen in DCIS
• Use of Tamoxifen and Roloxifene in prevention of breast cancer (STAR)

Additional studies have included:

• Genetic testing and gene mapping for various cancers
• Use of genetics to match the most effective treatment for the patient
• Supportive care studies (such as yoga and relaxation techniques for cancer patients)
• Use of vitamins to help prevent prostate cancer (SELECT)
• Variety of symptom control studies

Click here to return to the main Cancer Center webpage.