Bladder & Kidney Cancer Research & Clinical Trials

If you have a new diagnosis or recurrence of cancer, and want access to the newest cancer treatments, a clinical trial may be right for you.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is relentlessly devoted to providing excellent health care. This commitment includes conducting clinical research studies that may improve the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Benaroya Research Institute oversees all clinical research at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, uniquely combining the expertise of a world-renowned medical research institute with the remarkable care of a health care quality leader. We offer national clinical trials to our patients and bring the latest advances to the Puget Sound through leading research protocols.

We’ve been providing people with cancer with access to clinical trials for more than 20 years. The goal of our clinical research program is to provide each individual with a research option at every step of their disease, from initial diagnosis to long-term follow-up. Our trials include the use of chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, as well quality of life/symptom management trials.

By joining a clinical trial, you gain access to leading-edge treatments that are not yet widely available. You can also join cancer prevention, cancer control, and quality of life studies through our cancer centers. Your participation helps advance medical science, which will benefit future cancer patients.

If you have a new diagnosis or recurrence of cancer, a clinical trial may be right for you. These tips can help you find and join clinical trials:

• Ask your primary and cancer care providers (surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists) if any clinical trials are available for your cancer.
• Ask for your case to be reviewed at a cancer conference and for the doctors to discuss your eligibility for a cancer study.
• Search online to see if there are clinical trials for your cancer. Share any findings with your care team.
• Ask your cancer care navigator to work with your care team to find out if you’re eligible for a clinical trial.
• Consider trials throughout your treatment. Clinical trials continue to research treatments for those who are newly diagnosed patients, have recurrent cancer, are in remission and every phase of life after diagnosis.

For more information about cancer clinical trials at Benaroya Research Institute, call Cancer Clinical Research at 206-287-6270.