Monday, August 25, 2008

Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial

You may want to ask your doctor, nurse or researcher administering the mesothelioma clinical trial questions before committing oneself.

Ask questions such as:
  • What does the mesothelioma trial hope to accomplish?
  • What side effects might I experience? Are these worse than those I might experience with standard treatment?
  • Who is sponsoring the mesothelioma trial?
  • What should I expect if I am in the trial? What should I expect if I am not in the trial?
  • What are the possible benefits to my family and me if I go into the mesothelioma trial?
  • Will I have to pay for the treatment? Will any of the treatment be free?
  • Will joining a trial keep me from being treated with other therapies, either now or later?
  • Whom can I call if there are problems while I am in the mesothelioma trial? What phone number should I call in the evening or on weekends?

Some doctors are reluctant to have their patients participate in mesothelioma clinical trials. This may be due to any number of reasons, including:

  • some healthcare providers may be generally concerned about their patients participating in medical research
  • some may be concerned that their patient.s participation in a mesothelioma clinical trial will result in more work for the professionals and more demands on their already limited time
  • others may worry that patients cannot withstand the more frequent office visits that might be required
  • still others may believe that a standard treatment regimen will be best

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