Understanding Clinical Trials
Have you heard of clinical trials? Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. These studies help doctors find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases like cancer. Cancer clinical trials are a way to find cancer treatments that work in people and improve the lives of cancer patients.
Clinical trials can ask:
Is this treatment safe for people?
How well does this treatment work in cancer patients?
Does this treatment cause any side effects or problems?
Your safety is extremely important in clinical trials. Researchers must explain the possible harms and benefits of a clinical trial to people before they decide to take part in a trial. This is called informed consent. Most, but not all, clinical trials in the United States are approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board. The Institutional Review Board is a group of doctors and scientists who make sure people who take part in clinical trials are protected every step of the way.
Clinical trials are key to making progress in the fight against cancer and can lead to groundbreaking treatments. You might take part in a clinical trial because you want to try a new drug or treatment. Or, you might do it because it helps doctors develop better treatments for the future.
Below are some questions to ask your doctor to help determine if a clinical trial is right for you.
Why is this study being done?
Who will be in charge of my care during the study?
What treatments and tests will I need in this study?
Will I have to pay for anything?
Is long-term follow-up care part of the study?
What side effects or harms might I expect?
Are you interested in learning more about clinical trials? Check with your local healthcare provider and visit Cancer.Net and MedlinePlus.Gov. You may also attend “Cancer Conversations,” a monthly educational webinar series that CarolinaEast Medical Center hosts in partnership with UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The topic for April is, “Understanding Clinical Trials,” presented by Patty Spears, BSc, a scientific research manager and patient advocate at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The program is free and open to the general public. This is just another way that CarolinaEast and UNC Lineberger are working together to bring cancer information and resources to your community.
Topic: “Understanding Clinical Trials”
Date: Friday, April 26, 2019
Time: 12-1PM
Location: CarolinaEast Medical Center – Auditorium
Register: cancerconversations@carolinaeasthealth.com or 252-633-8127
Submitted by: Megan McGarvey, Director, Public Relations, CarolinaEast Health System