| Introduction | | | | What you usually don't hear about, however, are the |
| Choosing whether or not to take part in a clinical trial | | | | thousands of people who are helped each year |
| can be one of the toughest decisions facing a person | | | | because they decided to take part in a clinical trial, |
| with cancer. | | | | not to mention the millions who ultimately benefit |
| Clinical trials are people-based studies -- as opposed | | | | from others' participation in clinical trials. |
| to animal or lab studies -- of new drugs or | | | | There is no right or wrong choice when it comes |
| procedures. Doctors use clinical trials to learn whether | | | | time to decide on taking part in a clinical trial. The |
| a new mesothelioma treatment is safe and effective | | | | decision is a very personal one and depends on many |
| in patients. Such trials are vital to the development of | | | | factors, including the benefits and risks of the study, |
| new treatments for diseases such as cancer. | | | | what the person hopes to achieve by taking part, |
| The doctors in charge of the study don't know | | | | and other preferences. |
| ahead of time how things will turn out. If they did, | | | | Knowing all you can about clinical trials in general -- |
| there would be no need for the study in the first | | | | and ones you are considering in particular -- can help |
| place. And because the doctors don't know how | | | | you feel more at ease with your decision. If you do |
| things will turn out, they really can't answer the | | | | decide to participate, knowing what to look for and |
| patient who asks, "Should I take part?" | | | | what to expect ahead of time can help you. |
| Most people don't pay much attention to clinical trials | | | | This guide should address many basic questions and |
| until they are diagnosed with a serious illness such as | | | | concerns so that you are better prepared to discuss |
| cancer. You may have seen stories in the news | | | | the subject with your doctor and family. It should |
| about something going wrong in a clinical trial. The | | | | clarify which questions need to be asked beforehand |
| media is quick to pick up on an instance when a | | | | and what the answers may mean for you. In the |
| volunteer in a study is harmed. While it is very rare, | | | | end, however, only you can decide if taking part in a |
| people have been harmed, and have even died, while | | | | clinical trial is right for you. |
| taking part in clinical trials. This is even more tragic | | | | One last note: Clinical trials are conducted in all areas |
| when it could have been prevented. Reports of | | | | of medicine, including ways to prevent and diagnose |
| these tragic outcomes are important, because they | | | | diseases, but this guide focuses on studies for people |
| help to expose problems in the system, which are | | | | who have cancer. However, most of the information |
| then corrected to protect others. | | | | here applies to other types of clinical trials as well. |