| Those who participate in a melanoma clinical trial, or | | | | care. Close monitoring is done to determine any |
| any other type of clinical trial, play a large role in the | | | | effects, both positive and negative. Trial participants |
| development of new treatments, procedures and | | | | often receive much closer monitoring than |
| medications. While test tube (in vitro) and animal | | | | non-participating melanoma patients. |
| studies may give some indication of the | | | | Not all treatments in melanoma clinical trials are |
| effectiveness and safety of treatments, volunteers | | | | successful. Patients who have given up conventional |
| are necessary to see whether the treatment will also | | | | treatment in favour of experimental may find that |
| work in humans. | | | | their condition worsens. While rare, there is even a |
| There are both pros and cons associated with | | | | possibility that the new treatment may even work |
| participation in a clinical trial. Pros include access to | | | | opposite from expected. Even though in vitro and |
| new or innovative treatments, the potential to be | | | | animal studies may have shown no side effects or |
| one of the first beneficiaries of a treatment, the | | | | risks, there is no guarantee that the same will hold |
| opportunity to play a role in what may help | | | | true with human participants. |
| thousands of other patients and medical attention | | | | Not all trial participants are given the treatment. To |
| from some of the best doctors and scientists in the | | | | prevent contamination of results, trials are operated |
| world. Cons include the possibility of the participant's | | | | on a blind basis with patients unaware of whether |
| condition worsening because the new treatment isn't | | | | they are receiving the real treatment or a placebo. |
| as effective or because they were chosen for the | | | | One drawback that leads many people to turn away |
| control group, exposure to unknown side effects or | | | | from participation is the amount of time and money |
| risks, undergoing an increased number of tests or | | | | that must be invested. Some patients have to make |
| giving up time or money to participate. | | | | frequent trips for monitoring or administration of the |
| While some clinical trials test combinations of | | | | treatment. While some trials do reimburse patients |
| conventional therapies, the majority look at new | | | | for their expenses, it may not cover the full expense. |
| treatments or medications. Participants in the trial are | | | | Patients may still be responsible for other costs. |
| often given medications that are not even on the | | | | For some people, a melanoma clinical trial can be a |
| market yet. If the treatment is successful, patients | | | | good option. It can open the doors to a possible cure |
| may have reduced their melanoma, as well as played | | | | for both themselves and others stricken by the |
| a role in the development of something that could | | | | disease. However, it is important to carefully examine |
| help others. | | | | all the pros and cons before signing up. While the |
| Most clinical trials are led by top researchers and | | | | possibility of a cure is wonderful, it may come with |
| doctors. Patients participating the trial are under their | | | | some unwanted risks and sacrifices. |