Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Cancer Center Offers Expanded Access to Clinical Trials for Cancer Patients

OXNARD, CA – October 21, 2020 – Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Cancer Center has partnered with Ventura County Hematology-Oncology Specialists Medical Group (VCHOS) to provide patients increased access to clinical research trials. These partnerships allow Dignity Health St. John’s physicians to offer active trials to patients they treat within our communities. 

Participation in a clinical trial gives a patient access to treatments that may not be readily available for years to come. The knowledge gained from clinical trials give scientists and physicians better guidance to prevent, diagnose, treat, and relieve symptoms of cancer.

“A clinical trial is when we investigate new ways to approach and treat cancer. Clinical trials give patients access to new technology and new treatments.” said Chirag Dalsania, MD, Oncology and Hematology, Medical Director, St. John’s Regional Cancer Center. “Having access to so many clinical trials means we can put the right patient on the right trial, opening a new spectrum of opportunity for targeted treatment.”

Cancer is no longer treated with just chemotherapy and radiation; tumors are now able to be identified more precisely by their chemical and biological make up. Through clinical trials, doctors are able to determine whether new treatments are safe and effective and whether they work better than current treatments. 

Patients participating in clinical trials are given the opportunity to be a part of advancing what we know about cancer diagnoses, therapy options, and tumor biology.  

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About Dignity Health St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center 

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.