[an error occurred while processing this directive] Aventis Awarded Contract To Make Flu Vaccine Year-Round False Cancer Warnings Given To Women Considering Abortion FTC Urges Americans To Ignore 'Big Fat Lies' Higher Risk Of Leukemia Found Among Obese Women Study: New Drug Helps People Drop Pounds Wrong Massage Touch Can Cause Pain Rest Assured: Pill Offers Help For Sleep Problems Patient Describes Ankle Tendon Surgery Heart Drug For Blacks Means Pharmacy Profiling More Doses Of Flu Vaccine Headed To Bay State

New Drug On Trial for Ovarian Cancer

300 Volunteers Needed for Single Injection Treatment

ATLANTA, Updated 2:50 p.m. EDT May 10, 2000 -- Clinical researchers across the country are working to evaluate a new single injection treatment for ovarian cancer patients.

The study seeks to determine the efficiency and safety of a new treatment for women with ovarian cancer. Currently, those diagnosed have only a 50 percent survival rate beyond five years. The two-year study is now underway at research centers across the country and is searching for 300 eligible patients. Eligible patients include those recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer in stage 1C (early stages of development) or greater, and women currently receiving chemotherapy and standard treatment for ovarian cancer.

More than 23,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed annually, but symptoms are sometimes vague and can be confused with other diseases, making it hard to detect in its earlier stages when it is more easily treated. According to Dr. Benedict Benigno, president of Southeastern Gynecological Oncology in Atlanta and the founder of the Ovarian Cancer Institute, "Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because there are no early warning signs. The patient is leading a very normal life and suddenly she has abdominal swelling, pain and GI symptoms, and a diagnosis of cancer." For additional information on the study, call 1-800-266-6644.

Did you know:

• Ovarian cancer is 5th leading cause of cancer death in women in U.S.
• Those diagnosed have only a 50 percent survival rate beyond 5 years
• Disease causes more deaths than any other reproductive organ cancer
• Disease accounts for more than 14,000 deaths per year
• More than 23,000 new cases detected per year
• Ovarian Cancer is not diagnosed through a Pap smear

More information on ovarian cancer research:

• CancerNet, a Service of the National Cancer Institute
• Cancer Group Institute
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute
• How to Treat Cancer by Cancer Group Institute

  Copyright 2001 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. [an error occurred while processing this directive]