Introducing Clinical Trial Navigator: Start Searching Today

At MRA, we know that advancing science is our best bet in the fight against melanoma. More than 87,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and with these numbers on the rise, researchers are working harder than ever to find new and better treatment options. In fact, there are over 300 clinical trials happening in melanoma right now.

Patients are looking for trials, and trials are looking for patients (80,000 patients are needed for the 300 clinical trials enrolling right now), but with strict eligibility requirements, it can be difficult to find a match. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that we’ve launched Clinical Trial Navigator powered by Antidote, to ensure that patients and caregivers not only know about medical research, but are also able to match to clinical trials quickly and easily. It’s simple: all you need to do is answer a few questions about your condition to be matched to a clinical trial.

Of course, we understand that you may not yet know whether you’d like to participate; that’s why we’re offering educational resources that can help you make an informed decision as part of Clinical Trial Navigator. Our friends at Antidote have also pulled together a list of questions to ask when considering a clinical trial; these are critical to making sure you get the information you need.

The introduction of this resource for patients and caregivers comes on the heels of the launch of another resource, Melanoma > Exchange, an online community developed in partnership with Inspire. On Melanoma > Exchange, patients and caregivers connect to share insights into diagnosis, choosing treatments, and finding clinical trials. As you’re making decisions about trials and treatments, please feel free to ask any questions you may have of this community - they’ve been through it and can offer invaluable advice. 

As Jamie Goldfarb, a melanoma survivor, said in a recent interview: “[Clinical Trials] aren’t the thing you try on a whim after you’ve tried everything else. They should be considered when you make your first treatment decisions because they are the way to make sure you are getting cutting-edge therapy.” We encourage you to start searching for your clinical trial match today by visiting www.curemelanoma.org/clinicaltrials.