ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) -
Our focus this week is on the role of a cancer research nurse. We went to the Sentara Martha Jefferson Cancer Center to learn more.
Crystal Chu is the cancer research nurse at Sentara Martha Jefferson. A large part of her day-to-day centers around working with patients who may be candidates for a clinical trial.
"I have to look at what type of cancer they have, what stage, their age, their past medical history, to see what kind of condition they're in now” noted Chu. “Each trial has a specific set of guidelines that we follow to understand if a patient is eligible or not.”
While Sentara Martha Jefferson does offer several trials itself, many times patients are transferred out to other hospitals to be involved in trials. While it may seem strange to send patients other places, the ultimate goal is to benefit everyone.
“One benefit is that it could be a better outcome, but the main benefit for us is that it really helps us understand the cancer better; and how these therapies and medications are working," noted Chu.
Chu screens patients who come to the Cancer Center for possible trials. For those eligible, she then speaks extensively with them, as well as their doctors, about their options.
"They need to know what the trial's all about and so I educate them and if they want to participate, I then follow them,” noted Chu.
It patients do decided to become involved with a trial outside of Martha Jefferson, they typically come back to the hospital for their follow-up care.
The end goal of everyone involved with trials is to continue to work to battle cancer. “It’s really the key to improving the cancer care,” noted Chu.
For more information on this topic, call 1-800-SENTARA. If you have a question about your health you’d like us to answer, email healthquestions@nbc29.com.
