Clinical trials are research studies designed to find new ways to treat cancer beyond regular regimen of care. It is important that men participate in these type studies in order discover other methods to treat prostate cancer. Clinical trials often compare the most accepted treatment with a new treatment that doctors anticipate will do more for the patient. Obviously, new drugs and medications that are tested in laboratories need to be tested on humans to evaluate their effectiveness as treatment for cancer.

Why should I participate in a clinical trial?

Participation in a clinical trial will allow those patients who have exhausted conventional means of controlling their cancer another alternative to treat the cancer. There are risks when participating in a clinical trial, but the information gathered by the physicians will greatly aid in future research.

What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?M

If you join a study evaluating new treatments for prostate cancer, doctors will learn new ways to help people who may get prostate cancer in the future. The study will benefit you if other treatments have failed in controlling the cancer. Finally, clinical trials offer the best combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments for prostate cancer.

What are the risks of being a part of a research study?

The most notable risk of participating in a clinical trial is that no one knows the effectiveness of the treatment because it is a new therapy. It should be noted that studies sometimes have side effects not yet understood. Research studies also carry a cost that insurance companies do not always cover. Usually, the responsible party will take care of the financial responsibility of the study. It is important to discuss these matters with a doctor, or other healthcare professional during the recruitment phase of the study.

African American Men and Clinical Trials

Many therapies are available for patients looking for alternative treatments for prostate cancer. In many trials, not enough patients enroll in the study to provide evidence of its effectiveness. African American men are desired to participate in a number of clinical trials for prostate cancer to evaluate the staging of prostate cancer, and the higher incidence of prostate cancer in African American men. Unfortunately, low numbers of African American men in clinical trials have only provided marginal results regarding treatments other than conventional therapies.

Are my rights protected in a clinical trial?

Groups at the national and local level ensure the rights of patients are protected when participating in a clinical trial. All clinical trials must be approved to prior to use on human subjects. One of the most important groups is called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The duty of the IRB is to review research studies prior to use on humans, and evaluate its use as treatment for cancer.