Should I Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Updated March 25, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Cancer treatments are constantly changing as our understanding of these diseases evolves. In particular, studies that are investigating cancer at the level of the human genome have opened doors to many exciting new targeted therapies. But, for each one of these new treatments, years of research must continue to see if they have a place in standard care. This is where clinical trials are important.
It can be hard to know whether or not you should participate in a clinical trial.
First Things First:
First, it is helpful to know what the standard of treatment currently is for your disease. Is there a tried-and-true therapy that your hematologist (blood doctor) thinks will work for you? Do you have an unusual subtype or rare condition? Are there clinical trials going on that you might be eligible for?
The absolute most important thing to know is that the final choice to enter a clinical trial is your choice, nobody else can make it for you. You will most likely consult with your healthcare team and your family and loved ones, but ultimately, you must be comfortable with the decisions you make about your cancer care.
What Are the Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial:
What Are The Risks of Participating in a Clinical Trial:
Lab Rat?:
Does the idea of being "studied" not feel quite right to you? Worried that you might be on the side of the study that gets a "fake" treatment? Well, there are a number of ethical issues at hand when patients decide to enter a trial. It is unethical in medical research to deprive a patient of a therapy that would clearly increase their chances of survival. Therefore, if you participate in a clinical trial, you are assured to receive a treatment that is comparable to or better (hopefully) than the standard treatment.
Likewise, there is no chance that you will be selected to a part of a trial for which you won’t receive any treatment at all, unless there is currently no treatment available for your condition.
It's possible that you will receive the standard therapy in the study, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you will be “missing out” on something better. Until all the results are in, nobody knows what the more effective treatment is, or if there is one.
Researchers believe that the treatment being studied is going to be an improvement upon what is currently the standard. The study will hopefully prove that, but may not.
Meeting the Criteria:
Clinical trials often have strict guidelines and criteria for its participants so each patient has an equal opportunity for an improved outcome. Study criteria will likely include your cancer type, stage, and other treatments you have already received. It may also include your age, sex, ethnicity, or other medical conditions.
Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials:
If you are considering a clinical trial, consider asking your doctor the following questions:
Finding a Trial:
In most cases, your specialist can provide you with information about trials for your type of blood cancer. If you are interested in looking on your own, the following resources can help:
Summing it Up:
Clinical trials are not for everyone. Standard treatment options for your type of cancer may be proven to be effective, and you may choose to stay with the tried-and-true options. It is also possible that there are no trials available for you at this time. Always remember: the choice to enter a clinical trial is a personal one that only you can make after weighing all your options.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Cancer treatments are constantly changing as our understanding of these diseases evolves. In particular, studies that are investigating cancer at the level of the human genome have opened doors to many exciting new targeted therapies. But, for each one of these new treatments, years of research must continue to see if they have a place in standard care. This is where clinical trials are important.
It can be hard to know whether or not you should participate in a clinical trial.
First Things First:
First, it is helpful to know what the standard of treatment currently is for your disease. Is there a tried-and-true therapy that your hematologist (blood doctor) thinks will work for you? Do you have an unusual subtype or rare condition? Are there clinical trials going on that you might be eligible for?
The absolute most important thing to know is that the final choice to enter a clinical trial is your choice, nobody else can make it for you. You will most likely consult with your healthcare team and your family and loved ones, but ultimately, you must be comfortable with the decisions you make about your cancer care.
What Are the Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial:
- You may be one of the first people to receive an exciting new therapy.
- You are contributing to the understanding of blood cancers and their treatment.
- You will be followed by some of the leaders in cancer research.
- Some of your treatment may be covered by the sponsors of the study.
- You will be monitored more closely and have increased contact with your healthcare team than if you received standard treatment.
What Are The Risks of Participating in a Clinical Trial:
- Side effects or toxicities may be unknown or worse than those of standard therapy.
- The treatment you receive may not have a significant benefit over standard treatment.
- Information gained in the research may help others but not necessarily you.
- Health insurance may not cover costs associated with your care.
Lab Rat?:
Does the idea of being "studied" not feel quite right to you? Worried that you might be on the side of the study that gets a "fake" treatment? Well, there are a number of ethical issues at hand when patients decide to enter a trial. It is unethical in medical research to deprive a patient of a therapy that would clearly increase their chances of survival. Therefore, if you participate in a clinical trial, you are assured to receive a treatment that is comparable to or better (hopefully) than the standard treatment.
Likewise, there is no chance that you will be selected to a part of a trial for which you won’t receive any treatment at all, unless there is currently no treatment available for your condition.
It's possible that you will receive the standard therapy in the study, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you will be “missing out” on something better. Until all the results are in, nobody knows what the more effective treatment is, or if there is one.
Researchers believe that the treatment being studied is going to be an improvement upon what is currently the standard. The study will hopefully prove that, but may not.
Meeting the Criteria:
Clinical trials often have strict guidelines and criteria for its participants so each patient has an equal opportunity for an improved outcome. Study criteria will likely include your cancer type, stage, and other treatments you have already received. It may also include your age, sex, ethnicity, or other medical conditions.
Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials:
If you are considering a clinical trial, consider asking your doctor the following questions:
- What exactly is the study trying to find out?
- What will be expected of me during the trial?
- What will the treatment consist of?
- What side effects might I expect?
- Can I contact somebody else enrolled in the study?
- How will my future treatments be affected if this treatment doesn’t work for me?
- Who will pay for the cost of my treatment?
- How will I know if the therapy is working?
- Will I need to travel to receive my therapy?
Finding a Trial:
In most cases, your specialist can provide you with information about trials for your type of blood cancer. If you are interested in looking on your own, the following resources can help:
Summing it Up:
Clinical trials are not for everyone. Standard treatment options for your type of cancer may be proven to be effective, and you may choose to stay with the tried-and-true options. It is also possible that there are no trials available for you at this time. Always remember: the choice to enter a clinical trial is a personal one that only you can make after weighing all your options.
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