Clinical Trials for Women
(continued)
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.