| A prostate cancer clinical trial conjures up many | | | | be monitored much more closely, and develop a |
| images and questions in the minds of prostate cancer | | | | closer relationship with the clinical staff, than patients |
| patients. Questions include - Will I be a guinea pig? Will | | | | who are treated in a more routine management |
| I be safe? What are the risks and what are the | | | | programme, outside of a trial settingo Longer Term |
| potential gains? | | | | Benefits (i.e. to mankind) |
| So what are the benefits and disadvantages of | | | | Clinical trials are obviously formulated following |
| participating in a clinical trial? | | | | considerable due care and consideration. They aim to |
| It is fair to say that without clinical trials, the | | | | address some of the more difficult and urgent |
| development of prostate cancer treatments would | | | | medical issues that present for example in the |
| be severely limited. | | | | treatment of prostate cancer. |
| Indeed it is well attested that the majority of the | | | | Prostate cancer is a particularly challenging area of |
| population do approve of the use of clinical trials to | | | | medicine, and participation in clinical trials can provide |
| test and develop new cancer treatments. However, | | | | valuable learning for future treatment. |
| few people are willing to undergo a clinical trial | | | | - Disadvantages of Participationo Risk to participants |
| themselves. | | | | It is essential to note that just as no cancer |
| In the United Kingdom for example, only 5% of | | | | treatment is entirely without risk, so too can no |
| cancer patients are willing to be treated within the | | | | clinical trial be considered to be risk free. |
| context of a clinical trial, and for prostate cancer | | | | Many of the risks will consist of standard side effects |
| patients the figure is unfortunately considerably lower | | | | and complications of cancer treatments, coupled with |
| than this. | | | | the risks posed by new treatments. |
| - Benefits of participationo Immediate benefits (i.e. to | | | | Some of these latter risks only only come to |
| the trial participants) | | | | attention during the course of the trial. |
| As a general overview, patients benefit from | | | | It is crucial that participants are made as aware as |
| participating within a clinical trial, almost regardless of | | | | much as possible of the potential risks before they |
| what the particular trial entails. | | | | agree to participate. Patients must always be kept |
| A number of studies have indicated this, having | | | | informed of any new learning regarding potential |
| looked at the quality of care received, and the | | | | hazards and risks. |
| survival of patients who have been treated within | | | | A useful guiding principle is that a doctor should not |
| the context of a randomized trial. | | | | enter a patient into a clinical trial if he would not be |
| Patients tend to receive both a better quality of care | | | | prepared to do so himself, or allow a member of his |
| during the trial period, and a longer period of survival | | | | family to participate. |
| when compared to patients who have not | | | | The trail process is very much collaboration between |
| participated within such a trial. | | | | doctor and patient, so open honest communication is |
| There could be numerous reasons for this. A | | | | essential. |
| particular factor being that hospitals that participate | | | | This is a complex and highly sensitive subject that |
| within the trial process, do as a general rule, have a | | | | has only been touched upon here. Do read on and |
| very high standard of clinical practice. | | | | obtain more information to inform your decision |
| In addition, patients within the trail process tend to | | | | making process. |