From OHC
October 19, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joanie Manzo
Director, OHC Marketing & Physician Services
513-751-2273 EXT. 10143
joan.manzo@usoncology.com
In the past 40 years, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly. This encouraging trend is due in large part to early detection through Pap tests, the recent introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and advancements in treatments.
Although these trends are welcome news in the fight against cervical cancer, there are still thousands of women diagnosed with the disease. When diagnosed early, it is easier to treat and survival rates are higher. When diagnosed at an advanced stage, the outlook isn’t as positive.
“For women diagnosed with late stage cervical cancer, OHC has opened a new clinical trial in which we are evaluating an immunotherapy drug for women whose cervical cancer didn’t respond to chemotherapy and it either returned or spread,” said OHC’s Ajit Gubbi, DO, gynecologic oncologist at OHC.
The treatment in this clinical trial is an antibody that binds to a cancer cell to enhance the immune system’s response against the cancer. And OHC is the only cancer group in Ohio to offer this clinical trial.
“This is an important study because the five-year survival rate for advanced cervical cancer is only 17 percent. At OHC, my esteemed colleagues and I are determined to improve that rate, but when the standard treatment doesn’t work for everyone, you need more options. And that’s what we want from this and our other clinical trials – more treatment options for cancer patients,” Dr. Gubbi added.
The OHC team of gynecologic cancer experts continue to move forward in their quest to find new, innovative treatments that will extend cervical cancer survival and allow patients to enjoy life. OHC does this through their nationally recognized clinical trials program. The doctors also encourage women to have annual gynecology checkups and pap tests, and men and women to talk with their doctor or other provider about the HPV vaccine.
To learn more about cervical cancer, treatments and clinical trials at OHC, or to request a second opinion, visit ohcare.com or call 1-888-649-4800.
