Total Cancer Care

At the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center we are committed to advancing the science of cancer care by finding better ways to understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. Together, we want to improve care and quality of life for individuals affected by cancer and to save lives now and in the future. 

Total Cancer Care ® is a unique partnership between participants, healthcare providers and researchers at the nation’s leading cancer centers that participate in the ORIEN Network. By studying data from a large number of patients, researchers will be able to work towards developing personalized cancer care.

How does Total Cancer Care® work?

Understanding real cancer patients is vital to the success of Total Cancer Care ®. Your medical information, tissue, blood and other biospecimens can help scientists make important discoveries to benefit individuals with cancer.

As a participant, there are no additional costs to participate and no extra doctor’s appointments. You may also leave the study at any time. Once you are enrolled in the Total Cancer Care ® study, we will ask you for the following:

• Medical Records

  We ask for access to your medical records to see your history, treatments, and what you and other cancer patients have in common. During regularly scheduled visits, you may be asked questions about your medical history, diet and health habits.

• Tissue

  If you are scheduled for a tissue biopsy or surgery, we may study any extra tissue or body fluids that have been removed and are not needed to diagnose your cancer. We may also study tissue that was previously collected for your cancer care.

• Blood

  You will be asked for a few tablespoons of blood when you join the study. You may be asked to give additional blood up to four times a year. We will do our best to draw blood when it is already being done for your medical care.

How will my participation help?

The discoveries that are made as a part of this study may help other cancer patients for generations to come. The best way to achieve breakthroughs in cancer treatments is by studying the disease from every angle, learning as much as we can from each patient.  

What are the risks in joining?

The risks for this study are considered minimal, they include loss of confidentiality and pain or discomfort during a blood draw. We make extra efforts to reduce the risks associated with participation including taking your name off of your medical records and biospecimens and collecting blood when it is already being drawn for your medical care.