Cancer patients in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria will now have the opportunity to further research into testing for COVID-19, following the launch of a clinical trial by Icon Group to assess the safety and feasibility of self-administered COVID-19 testing in the hopes of protecting immunocompromised patients and healthcare workers from active COVID-19 cases.
The clinical trial has launched at Icon Cancer Centre Wahroonga [NSW], South Brisbane [QLD], North Lakes [QLD], Wesley [Auchenflower, QLD] and Richmond [VIC] and will enrol a small number of new and current patients across a four week period, who will then perform a COVID-19 self-test at home prior to attending the centre for their next appointment.
Icon Group Director of Research Dr John Bashford says the clinical trial will determine the viability of self-administered COVID-19 testing for select cancer patients receiving treatment at Icon centres across Australia and assess whether this offers a safer option for immunocompromised patients, compared to attending busy testing centres.
“We know that for many cancer patients, moving around in the community can not only expose them to COVID-19 but also viruses such as the common cold,” Dr Bashford said.