Clinical Trials – Participation

Clinical Trials – Participation

This blog has provided information about mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related topics. It has recently touched on the topic of clinical trials. Despite the topic (Clinical Trials -Participation), at the end of the day the question before each mesothelioma patient is, Why should I participate in clinical trials?

Generally most people believe that clinical trials use patients as guinea pigs. From the blog post Clinical Trials, it is clear to see why there are clinical trials in the first place. Clinical trials look to achieve a common goal for both patient and doctor alike; finding a cure for the cancer or provide patients with life extending treatment and ways to improve their quality of life. Scientists and clinicians are continually researching new therapies to provide these treatments through clinical trials. The conducting of clinical trials makes progress possible as it allows for new treatments to be uncovered and makes them available to patients.

Did you know that less than five percent of all cancer patients in the United States are part of clinical trials? This figure makes it very hard for researchers to uncover new treatments for rare cancers as they are not represented by the clinical trial pool. If we look at the statistics of rare cancers we will note that pericardial mesothelioma has a representation of one percent of all mesothelioma cases, the same is true of testicular mesothelioma which accounts for less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases. Thus with only a five percent representation for all forms of cancer at clinical trials it is highly likely that these rare forms of mesothelioma may very well be unrepresented.

Food for thought

At the end of the day each mesothelioma patient has to make their own decision as to participating in clinical trials. One thing to consider before you make your decision is; by participating in clinical trials you may very well beat cancer. Further, not only do you benefit as an individual but you help future patients by providing doctors and researchers with valuable information and feedback.