Contents
What are the
different types of trials?
These are some of the areas that clinical trials for prostate
cancer investigate:
- Prevention
- Screening
- Diagnosis
- Treatments
- How prostate cancer or its treatment affects you and your daily
life (quality of life)
There are four phases of clinical trials and scientists who
design trials use randomisation and placebos to make sure that
trials are fair and reliable. Find more information about the
different types of
trials, phases and trial design.
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What are the
advantages and disadvantages?
Clinical trials are an important and normal part of medicine and
taking part is voluntary. But if you are invited to take part in a
trial you have to decide whether it suits you. Whether you decide
to participate in a trial or not, you should receive the same
standard of care. Before making any decisions, find out as much as
you can about a trial including its potential advantages and
disadvantages.
Advantages
Each trial is different but generally taking part in a trial
could mean that you:
- Might have access to newer and perhaps more effective
treatments otherwise unavailable outside the trial.
- Have more regular check-ups, tests and support from doctors and
nurses than usual. Some people find this very reassuring.
- Help to improve future cancer treatment for others.
- Feel that you are doing something positive about your health
and taking an active role in your treatment and recovery.
Disadvantages
- The possible inconvenience of more frequent testing. Some
people find this makes them more anxious about their cancer.
- You may not know in advance what side effects you may get from
the treatment.
- If the trial is randomised you will not get a choice about
which treatment you have.
- As with most treatments, there is the risk that the new
treatment may not help you, even if it helps others.
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What does taking part
in a trial involve?
If you decide to take part in a trial the research team will
give you the full details of what it will involve. There will be
differences between trials, which depend on what the trial is
investigating and what type of trial it is.
Normally being in a trial will involve:
- Giving your consent
- Filling in forms or questionnaires
- A physical examination before the trial (pre-trial
screening)
- Visiting a hospital to have tests or treatments. Sometimes this
will take place over a number of years.
You can leave a trial at any stage without giving a reason.
Leaving a trial does not mean that you cannot have treatment for
your cancer, nor does it mean that health professionals will treat
you differently. You will still be given the current standard
treatment for your stage of cancer.
If you or those close to you need emotional support before, during
or after the clinical trial try speaking to friends, family, GP or
other health professionals. You can also call our
confidential Helpline. You
may also like to sign up to our Online
Community, where you can make contact with other men who
have been on clinical trials and find out about their
experiences.
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How do I find out about
trials for prostate cancer?
If you would like to find out about current clinical trials for
men with prostate cancer you can:
If you find a trial that you are interested in, take the details
to show your specialist team. They can help you decide whether it
is likely to be suitable for you.
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Questions to ask your
doctor or nurse
- Do you know of any clinical trials for prostate cancer that I
could go on?
- Can you tell me the possible benefits and risks of taking part
in the trial?
- Will I definitely receive the new treatment or procedure?
- What extra tests will I need to have if I go on the trial?
- How long does the trial go on for?
- Will I need to travel to another hospital?
- Will my travel or other expenses be paid back to me?
- What happens if something goes wrong when I am on the
trial?
- Am I covered by insurance?
- How much time will I need off work?
- When will the results of the trial be available?
- Where will the trial results be published?
- What support can I get during and after the trial?
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