Cancer research options are limited in Mississippi, making it harder for Mississippians to access and participate in clinical trials. The state currently lacks a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center and the University of Mississippi Medical Center is seeking to build a research center on its campus in Jackson. Hospital leaders have requested more than 250 million dollars from the state legislature to make that happen, but construction could take several years.
Advocates say federal policy could help bridge the cap through the proposed Clinical Trials Modernization Act. Christina Wright is a volunteer with the American Cancer Society in Mississippi said the legislation could ease the financial burden on patients who must travel long distances for treatment.[GS1]
“Imagine you’re a person that’s gotten diagnosed with cancer and you have gone through and eliminated all the current treatment, and there was a clinical trial in California, but you didn’t have the money to travel there,” said Wright. “This could help with that.”
Cancer research has made a significant breakthrough in recent weeks. The pharmaceutical company Moderna, known broadly for manufacturing one of the primary COVID-19 vaccines, has completed Stage 3 trials for a vaccine that can cure some skin cancers. This puts the vaccine closer to federal approval.
Wright said that momentum can’t stop now. She said, “When you get into research, the important part is that they don’t lose that momentum that they give. If funding gets cut, you have to start exactly from the beginning.”
Also advocating on Capitol Hill is Ashleigh Parker of Olive Branch. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer 7 years ago. Now, she's cancer-free.
“All of that was possible from the clinical trials and research that was done years ago. But it takes so long to get things going. And if we can keep funding these clinical trials, they can keep moving forward with those.”
On Wednesday, the American Cancer Society recognized leaders across the nation for work in cancer advocacy and public policy. Among them were two Mississippi lawmakers; Representative Sam Creekmore of New Albany, and Senator Walter Michel of Ridgeland.
[GS1]This part helps transition into Christina’s quote.
