| nical trial is a process that all new treatment options | | | | know how often participants will need to see the |
| and medications go through before they are | | | | physicians coordinating the trials and how long each |
| accepted and registered for general usage. These | | | | visit will take, these visits will translate into a lot of |
| trials often offer a last hope for cure for many | | | | hotel and travel expenses. |
| terminal and difficult diseases. Most drugs that have | | | | Not everyone qualifies for a clinical trial, different trials |
| become standard therapies for many illnesses today | | | | use different criteria for selecting eligible participants. |
| have all undergone an extensive period of testing | | | | Some clinical trials want participants that that have |
| with clinical trials. | | | | undergone an unsuccessful traditional treatment, while |
| There are three stages of clinical trials. Phase I trials | | | | other clinical trials want patients who have not been |
| enroll a limited number of people. They normally | | | | treated at all. |
| center on the correct dosage and relative safety of | | | | Another factor that you have to consider about |
| a particular drug. Phase II trials enroll more people and | | | | clinical trial is that you will have no control over the |
| are used to determine if the new drug actually works | | | | kind of treatment you will receive. In randomized |
| against a particular illness. Phase III trials are the final | | | | clinical trials, patients receive the traditional treatment |
| phase before a drug is approved for treating a | | | | while others receive the experimental treatment. You |
| disease. During Phase III, the new drug is compared | | | | do not get to choose which treatment you receive, |
| against the existing treatment. The goal during Phase | | | | nor will you know what treatment is being |
| III is to prove the new drug is a more effective | | | | administered. There is no guarantee that a participant |
| treatment. | | | | will receive the experimental treatment. |
| To find about clinical trials you can participate in you | | | | Despite apparent risks, the benefits of clinical trials |
| can check on the internet for resources that list | | | | are numerous. Without clinical trials it would be nearly |
| ongoing clinical trials for mesothelioma, which include | | | | impossible to judge the effectiveness of new drugs. |
| the qualifications for each. | | | | The health care that participants receive during a |
| You can also consult your mesothelioma doctor for | | | | clinical trial is fantastic. Careful records must be kept |
| information on available clinical trials. Doctors have | | | | and extensive testing must be done to gauge the |
| access to all upcoming and current clinical trials, and | | | | effectiveness and safety of a new therapy. |
| can also help determine if a patient qualifies for a | | | | Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of asbestos |
| particular trial. | | | | cancer with an extremely low survival rate and clinical |
| You can also contact the large regional cancer | | | | trials are one of the best ways to find a cure. The |
| centers in their area, which will have access to | | | | patients currently involved in mesothelioma clinical |
| information on clinical trials being coordinated from | | | | trials will hopefully pave the way for a more |
| their hospitals | | | | effective treatment. You must consult with your |
| You have to consider a lot of factors if you want to | | | | doctor about the various available clinical trials once |
| take part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials typically occur in | | | | you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. |
| large metropolitan hospitals and it is important to | | | | |