Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is committed to exploring newer, more effective cancer treatments to promote quality of life and improve health. More than 100 clinical trials are conducted annually to investigate and bring innovative, state-of-the-art options to cancer patients in a safe and effective environment. Many of today's best chemotherapy agents were available to Lutheran General patients years earlier as a result of the hospital's clinical trials.

Cancer prevention trials also are conducted. These are available to adults who do not have cancer, but are at risk for various reasons. Prevention trials become opportunities to maximize one's health, and invest in the long-term wellness of future generations.

Among its recent research initiatives, Lutheran General is participating in:

• the largest clinical trial for the prevention of prostate cancer
• a tamoxifen study, a drug that blocks cancer-causing estrogen in breast tissue
• cancer care research in radiation therapy and chemotherapy for breast, colorectal, stem cell transplant, prostate, head and neck and lung conditions
• the Children's Oncology Group, a cooperative of health care institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada that provides access to leading edge cancer research

Learn more about clinical research at Advocate.