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Deciding Whether to Take Part in a Prevention Trial
Should I Take Part in a Cancer Prevention Clinical Trial?
People decide to be part of a cancer prevention clinical trial for many reasons. For
example:
Some people who have higher cancer risk participate in a cancer prevention trial because
they want to take a more active role in their health care. Also, because study
participants get regular and careful medical attention, some health problems may be found
early.
Some people feel good about contributing to medical knowledge. If the study agent turns
out to be effective against cancer, it may help others. For example, prevention trials
showed that aspirin helps prevent heart attacks, and now many people take aspirin daily on
their doctor's advice.
You need to weigh the possible benefits and possible risks for yourself. The list in the
next section may help you do that. You also may find it useful to talk with family members
or friends, your health care providers, and anyone you know who has been in a clinical
trial.
Prevention Clinical Trials: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Possible Benefits
If the approach being studied is found to be helpful, you may be among the first to
benefit.
In a cancer prevention clinical trial, your health is carefully monitored.
A cancer prevention clinical trial gives you a chance to help scientists learn more about
cancer prevention and help others.
Possible Drawbacks
New approaches may have side effects or risks unknown to the doctors.
The side effects, and results, of a new approach may be worse than what's currently
recommended.
Even if a new approach has benefits, it may not work for you.
Health insurance and managed care providers don't always cover all costs in a clinical
trial. (To find out what costs are likely to be covered for you, talk to a member of the
research team or a social worker.)
Questions To Ask about Prevention Trials
Finding answers, and making choices, may be hard for people who are at risk for
cancer--and for those who care about them. It's important for you to discuss your concerns
and your choices with your doctor and with the staff of any clinical study that you're
thinking of joining.
Ask questions about any issues that concern you. You need to understand your choices.
Source: National Cancer Institute
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