By
Trial Library
September 16, 2025
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we're sharing John's story – a powerful reminder that the right support can make all the difference in a patient's clinical trial journey.
Interested in bringing navigation support to your patients? Schedule a conversation with our Provider Partnerships Director, Amy Clemson, to learn how Trial Library can help your practice improve clinical trial access.
At 79 years old, John faced a challenge that many prostate cancer patients know all too well. His healthcare provider had identified a promising biomarker-selected oncology trial that could offer new treatment options, but the path from referral to first appointment was far from straightforward.
John's situation highlighted a critical gap in cancer care: patients who could benefit most from clinical trials often face the greatest barriers to accessing them. Limited social support, unreliable transportation, and the complexity of trial logistics can turn hope into an insurmountable challenge.
Recognizing that John would need additional support, his treating healthcare provider referred him to Trial Library's Ally Navigation program. What happened next demonstrates the transformative impact of truly patient-centered care.
Through individualized counseling, John's Ally Navigator quickly identified the specific barriers standing in his way:
Rather than simply providing information, the Navigator took action. They found and scheduled an appointment at a nearby site that was available two weeks sooner than the original option. They coordinated private transportation to ensure John could attend reliably. They assessed his broader needs, including food security and lodging, ensuring no stone was left unturned.
Perhaps most importantly, they provided the consistent, caring human connection that made John feel supported throughout the process.
The impact was immediate and profound. John not only made his first appointment – he thrived in the experience. After his visit, he reached out to his Ally Navigator with gratitude, sharing that the transportation was efficient and on time, and expressing how much he appreciated the entire support system.
But John's story represents something bigger than one successful appointment. It's a testament to what's possible when we design clinical trial access around the patient's actual needs rather than institutional convenience.
During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we're reminded that awareness isn't just about understanding the disease – it's about ensuring that every person diagnosed with prostate cancer has access to the best possible care options, including cutting-edge clinical trials.
For patients like John, navigation support doesn't just improve logistics; it transforms possibility into reality. It turns a referral into treatment. It turns hope into action.
John's experience illustrates what coordinated, patient-centered support can achieve in the clinical trial landscape. When we remove barriers and provide genuine human support alongside technological efficiency, we don't just improve access – we improve outcomes and restore hope.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, let's commit to ensuring that no patient faces their clinical trial journey alone. Because when the right support meets the right moment, extraordinary things become possible.
Want to explore how patient navigation could benefit your practice? Connect with our Provider Partnerships Director, Amy Clemson, to discuss partnership opportunities and see how we're helping providers improve trial enrollment.
