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Clinical Trials for Women
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Do You Want To Participate In A Clinical Trial?

One of the biggest challenges for medical researchers who conduct clinical trials is finding the appropriate patients. One of the biggest challenges for patients who would like to be in a clinical trial is finding an appropriate study in a convenient location.  Surveys for 2000-2001 indicate over 2,100 therapies in the pipeline and estimates are that during the next five years there will be a 10% increase in new molecular entities per year.  To complete the 50,000 phase I-IV protocols that are currently ongoing, 800,000 patients will be needed.  But we know that of the estimated 50 million eligible study volunteers in the United States, only 4-5 million participate in clinical trials annually. 

How can we make these numbers match up?  Is there a shortage of money invested in clinical research?  In the year 2000, $26 billion was invested in clinical research.  While this amount could certainly be increased, the lack of funding is eclipsed by consumers' lack of information about clinical trials. 

Volunteers for clinical trials who meet the study requirements are usually very well received and get excellent, study-related medical care, often at greatly reduced prices or at no charge.  In some studies, patients may even receive financial reimbursement for travel or other incidental expenses. In some studies targeting women, childcare is either provided or costs are reimbursed.  In most studies, patients receive free medicine for the duration of the trial and may sometimes even continue to receive free medication after the trial concludes.  Despite the tangible benefits of clinical trial participation, the intangible benefits may be the greatest:  knowing that you have contributed to the advancement of medical knowledge, particularly in an area that personally affects you or a family member.

A recent survey on CenterWatch.com asked their users why they would participate in a clinical trial: Two thirds of the respondents said to access a new treatment; nearly half wanted "better care"; 28% cited "free care"; and more than one in four answered for the compensation. 

If you would like to be in a clinical trial, the best place to start is right here on DrDonnica.com. For general information about clinical trials, click here.

It is also advisable to discuss clinical trial participation with your own physician.  Whether or not your doctor is involved with clinical trials, s/he can advise you regarding the suitability of your condition for a trial and whether it would medically be in your best interests to participate.  S/he may also be able to direct you to an on-going clinical trial site.

Another option is to contact the relevant department in a nearby academic health science center and inquire about on-going trials in your condition area and to ask for a specific referral to a clinical researcher on their staff.

Many clinical trials seek patients through public service announcements on radio and television or in newspapers.  The Internet also provides a tremendous amount of information about clinical trials.  In addition to DrDonnica.com, other sites offer a wealth of information related to clinical trials, such as a listing thousands of industry and NIH- sponsored (including the National Cancer Institute) clinical trials.

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 Because women are now recognized to have different needs, different responses to diseases, and different responses to medicines, biomedical researchers ... are continuing to investigate medicines for prevention and treatment specifically in women. 


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