About the Network

Working together to improve cancer patient outcomes in the Gulf South region

Why was the clinical trials network created?

The Gulf South Cancer Clinical Trials Network is a group of hospitals and doctors in the Gulf South region that have joined together to provide local, convenient access to the most advanced clinical trials available today. With the help of the Gulf South Clinical Trials Network, cancer patients can take part in National Cancer Institute supported studies right here in the state of Louisiana, closer to your home, family and work.

History of the Network
Formed in 2018, the Gulf South Clinical Trials Network is part of an NCORP grant funded by the National Cancer Institute to reach all cancer patients in the region, but especially those in minority and underserved communities. This experienced network of four leading health care and research groups in the region — LSU Health – New Orleans, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Ochsner Health System and Ochsner LSU Health – Shreveport — works to improve patient outcomes by expanding access to prevention and treatment studies as well as community outreach and education programs.

Through additional partnerships with other health providers across the region, we offer these vital resources at more than 40 locations. This has doubled the number of sites offering clinical trials in the Gulf South, allowing more patients and physicians access to cutting edge cancer treatments.

Gulf South’s leading health care and research groups have joined together to provide local access to the most advanced clinical studies and cancer treatments available.

Find a Location Near You

GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Louisiana Clinical Trials Louisiana locations of clinical trials Shreveport Shreveport clinical trials Monroe Monroe clinical trials Alexandria Alexandria clinical trials Lake Charles Lake Charles clinical trials Baton Rouge Baton Rouge clinical trials Convington Convington clinical trials Hattiesburg Hattiesburg clinical trials Gulfport Gulfport clinical trials Slidell Slidell clinical trials Houma Houma clinical trials New Orleans New Orleans clinical trials Metarie Metarie clinical trials

Louisiana

Mississippi

GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Alexandria ALexandria Locations

Louisiana

Alexandria

GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Covington Covington Locations
GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Gulfport Gulfport Locations

Mississippi

Gulfport

GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Hattiesburg Hattiesburg Locations
GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Houma Houma Locations
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Louisiana

Lake Charles

GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Metarie Metarie Locations

Louisiana

Metarie

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Louisiana

Monroe

GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Shreveport Shreveport Locations
GUL1802_Gulf South Map_indv Slidell Slidell Locations

What is a Health Care Disparity?

Health disparities or inequalities refer to differences in the health status of different groups of people. Some groups of people have higher rates of certain diseases and greater likelihood of death, compared to others.

Cancer health disparities are often associated with race and ethnicity. But other groups may also experience these disparities, like people from lower income backgrounds. Other groups may be defined by age, disability, gender/sexual identity, education or other characteristics. Research shows that people from medically underserved groups are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage diseases that might have been treated more effectively or cured if diagnosed earlier. Financial, physical, and cultural beliefs are also issues that can keep individuals or groups from receiving adequate health care.

Scientists also believe that biological differences in groups of people may also play a role in some cancer health disparities. For example, there may be biological differences that affect breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers in African Americans differently than people of other racial/ethnic groups. Research and clinical studies are improving our understanding of how biological differences contribute to health disparities and how they potentially impact with other factors, such as diet and the environment.

What is NCORP?

The National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program, or NCORP, is a national network that brings cancer research studies to patients in their communities. The NCORP in our region, the Gulf South Clinical Trial Network, is an important step in addressing cancer health disparities in our region, bringing new access to the latest advancements in cancer and addressing health care disparities in our region.

We're in a new era of cancer research. More than 85% of cancer care is provided in the community setting, and we want to make these studies available to people in those communities.

–Worta McCaskill-Stevens, MD, NCORP Director

Our NCORP is bringing together the leaders in Gulf South cancer care to provide patients with access to clinical trials close to their communities, regardless of where they live in the state. We are confident we can make a positive impact on patient outcomes while lowering the cost of cancer care.

–Augusto Ochoa, MD, Gulf South Clinical Trial Network Principal Investigator