International Clinical Trials Day is a time to pause and reflect on the efforts of those working in medical research, the need to identify patients to participate in trials, and why funding to support research is so important.

The 20^th May commemorates the day James Lind started his study into the cause of scurvy. 

In 1747, serving as a surgeon on the HMS Salisbury, Lind’s trial consisted of just 12 men, grouped into pairs.  They were given a variety of dietary supplements from cider to oranges and lemons and although the trial only lasted a short time (approximately six days) there was noticeable improvement in the group eating the fruit.  This provided Lind with evidence of the link between fruit and preventing scurvy.

This is the first recorded controlled clinical trial and changed modern medicine – today clinical trials are an integrated aspect of health care and disease control.

This day highlights the need to identify patients to participate in trials, to recognise the efforts of those working in medical research, and increase funding to support research.

Ballarat Health Services has been participating in clinical trials for many years. In the last twelve months BRICC Medical Oncologist and Principal Investigator Wasek Faisal and Trial Coordinator Rebecca Gurnett from BHS Clinical Trials Unit recruited the first patient anywhere in the world in a Phase 3 neo-adjuvant trial in stage III lung cancer.

The trials unit works to bring cutting edge treatment options to patients in the region, consistently participating in world-class clinical research through collaboration with academia and industry.

For a number of years BHS has offered members of our community the opportunity to participate in numerous trials testing treatments for lung, breast, ovarian and renal cancers, and well as in other disease conditions. BHS is currently participating in COVID-19 clinical trials.

For more information on clinical trials at Ballarat Health Services please go to: https://www.bhs.org.au/research/clinical-trials/