4 Responses to “Myths About Cancer Clinical Trials”

1. Sam says:

   December 16, 2009 at 10:40 am

   I like the video. I can’t donate blood I imagine organ donation is out now. But the trial was something that I could do and in a little way help. There are also trials to help side effects and post treatment trials.
   All this knowledge helps. Thanks livestrong
2. Erik says:

   December 16, 2009 at 10:49 am

   My did fought and beat lung cancer 3 times. When it came back for the forth time, he opted to participate in clinical trials on the advice of his team at MD Anderson in Houston.

   The trials definitely included medicine and all the “normal” parts of a cancer treatment protocol: blood draws, scans, pokes and prods, etc. In this case, the chemo was in pill form instead of IV.

   Unfortunately, the trials didn’t help Dad. BUT, he told me that if the doctors and other patients could benefit from his experiences in the trials, then it was all worth it.

   Mom and I enthusiastically recommend that each patient consider clinical trial participation. Work with your doctors and your care team, learn as much as you can about the different trials that may be available. Every patient will not qualify for clinical trials.

   If you are selected for a trial, continue being an active participant in your care, perhaps more so than before. Your care team will want and need your constant feedback on how the trial is working for you, and don’t be shy about providing that feedback outside of your regularily scheduled follow-up visits.

   Let me reiterate: You’re not a guinea pig or lab rat. You are still getting medical treatment, and your care team will still give you the same level of care and compassion as before. Above all, keep a positive attitude, and know that you are helping everyone. LIVESTRONG!
3. Josh Patrick says:

   December 16, 2009 at 3:48 pm

   I was involved in a clinical trial and ended up with some nice parting gifts known as chemo side effects from the trial. If I knew today what the side effects would have been, I still would have done the trial.

   If we don’t do trial’s the bar never gets pushed forward. For some, the trials do a lot of good and for some, there is no reward but without people participating there is no forward movement in cancer treatment.
4. Lesley Jacobs says:

   December 16, 2009 at 3:49 pm

   My mom received incredible care at the NIH for 7 years, on various trials. They never gave her a placebo, and the treatments and drugs she received definitely extended her life. The drugs and treatments were not available outside of clinical trials. In my opinion, this is the best use of my taxpayer dollars that I can think of. My mom was cared for by the very best doctors, and they had a great interest in her… over 7 years she built lasting connections with those health care providers.
   She travelled from the West Coast to Bethesda on a monthly basis and I know she was alive and healthy for years longer than she would have been. If and when I ever need to take advantage of something like that, I will. It made her very proud to help the physicians learn what worked and what didn’t. It was a very satisfying experience.

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