CYCLE OF LIFE WOODLAND HILLS M.D. JOINS WITH LANCE ARMSTRONG TO FIGHT CANCER.Byline: Nicole Sunkes Staff Writer Hoping to draw attention to the importance of cancer clinical trials, a Woodland Hills oncologist is joining Tour de France Tour de France World's most prestigious and difficult bicycle race. Staged for three weeks each July—usually in some 20 daylong stages—the Tour typically comprises 20 professional teams of nine riders each and covers some 3,600 km (2,235 miles) of flat and champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong (born Lance Edward Gunderson on September 18, 1971) is a retired American professional road racing cyclist. He won the Tour de France—cycling's most prestigious race—seven consecutive times, from 1999 to 2005. in a bike ride across America. Dr. Neil Shah, an oncologist and researcher at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center, is one of 20 cyclists This is an incomplete list. Please add to this list if you are aware of an omission. This is a list of cyclists by decade. Cyclists by decade Cyclists before the 1880s
``Unfortunately, only 3 to 5 percent of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials,'' Shah said. ``If that number were higher, we'd stand to benefit significantly.'' Tour spokesman Jeff McLaughlin said he hopes the event motivates more people to participate in such trials, a crucial means of testing and gaining federal approval for drugs. ``Every drug that is used to treat cancer goes through a clinical trial,'' McLaughlin said. ``There are hundreds of drugs out there in labs that are waiting to be tested so they can help those individuals diagnosed with cancer.'' The tour kicked off early Friday from the City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center in Duarte. Armstrong, who overcame an aggressive form of testicular cancer testicular cancer Malignant tumour of the testis, or testicle. Although relatively rare, testicular cancer is the most common malignancy for men between the ages of 20 and 34. It typically affects men between 15 and 39 years old. to win the Tour de France an unprecedented six consecutive times, joined the cyclists during the kickoff event. He will also ride with the team during selected stretches and at the finish. Accompanied by bus, cyclists will ride in revolving shifts of four to five hours before arriving in Washington, D.C., Saturday. Shah, an avid cyclist, was chosen from among 1,200 applicants for the team, which includes nurses and physicians, cancer researchers, cancer survivors Cancer survivors are those individuals with cancer of any type, current or past, who are still living. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) pioneered the definition of survivor as from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life, a person diagnosed with and caregivers representing 18 states. Team members were chosen based on their experiences with cancer, physical abilities and commitment to cancer research. To prepare for the ride, Shah trained about 12 to 15 hours a week, or the equivalent of 200 to 250 miles. He began bike riding as a student at the University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). , Berkley, about 21 years ago. ``I kind of became addicted ad·dict·ed adj. 1. Physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance. 2. Compulsively or habitually involved in a practice or behavior, such as gambling. to the solitude of riding alone, the camaraderie ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship. [French, from camarade, comrade, from Old French, roommate; see comrade. of riding in a group, and the feeling of movement, of motion and the wind coursing through my hair on descents,'' said Shah, 41. ``I really appreciate the flexibility of scheduling that it affords. All you really need to ride is a bicycle, a decently paved road and daylight.'' He is equally devoted to finding a cure for cancer. During his fellowship at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX several years ago, Shah ran across an old friend who had been diagnosed with cancer of the appendix, a rare disease. Married with two young daughters, the woman eventually died from the disease. ``That really forced me to look at the current state of chemotherapy for advanced cancers through the eyes of a patient,'' Shah said. ``That's what inspired me to get back into the lab and to work toward inventing therapies.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Dr. Neil Shah, an oncologist and researcher at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center, is one of 20 cyclists participating in a 3,500-mile bike ride to raise awareness about clinical trials. ``Unfortunately, only 3 to 5 percent of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials. If that number were higher, we'd stand to benefit significantly,'' says Shah. |
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