Why should I choose a trial over standard care?
- Study treatments may give an additional treatment option that does not otherwise exist.
- Experimental treatments may prove to be a more effective treatment than the current standard treatment.
- Regular treatment was also tested as part of a trial.
- As people participate, we learn more about how to better care for patients with cancer.
- You will be closely monitored because trials have specific tests and doctors visits.
- Not everyone has the same reasons for taking part in a clinical trial.
Some patients find participating in a clinical trial gives them hope for themselves and for other cancer patients in the future.
Can I participate in a clinical trial if I don't live in Calgary or Edmonton?
- If the clinical trial involves a drug that is given by vein (IV), it is usually required that you receive treatment at the cancer centre. It may be possible for follow up visits to be arranged via phone or by a physician closer to you.
- If the clinical trial involves radiation therapy, at this time this is only available in Tom Baker Cancer Center or at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Significant work is being done to establish these treatments in satellite centers around the province. Therefore, this may change in the very near future.
- Many clinical trials are testing pills taken by mouth. In this case the medication may be taken at home.
- A small number of clinical trials are being undertaken at sites other than Calgary and/or Edmonton. Please speak to your health care team about opportunities that may be right for you.
Are there any extra costs to patients?
This is different for every trial. If there are any costs involved, the clinical research nurse will discuss them with you. The costs will also be listed in the consent form. Patients that live outside of Alberta are usually covered by the health care in their own province. If you are from outside of Canada, you may be required to pay for your treatment whether it is part of a clinical trial, or standard of care.
For most trials:
- The medicine that is being studied (the study drug) will be provided to you free of charge.
- Radiation therapy is is covered as part of the health plan whether part of the usual treatment for cancer or as part of a trial.
- Any medications that you would normally take if you received under standard treatment are rarely provided.
- There may be extra visit and tests. This may mean more trips to the cancer centre, which could mean increased costs for gas, parking, etc. Some studies will reimburse patients for these extra costs, but it is not a general rule.
What inconveniences might I face as a result of participating in a clinical trial?
- Many clinical trials require the patient to have more tests, and/or visits to the cancer centre. However, because of this, you will be very closely monitored.
- You may be asked to complete questionnaires both in the centre and at home.
What happens if there are a lot of side effects from the treatment and I don’t want to stay on the study?
- You do not have to stay on the study. You can stop the study treatment anytime you wish for any reason.
- Sometimes, the doctor may stop the study treatment if he/she feels it is no longer in your best interest.
- Sometimes, the study guidelines require a patient to stop the study treatment if the patient has too many side effects.
- Patient safety is most important.
Will my overall treatment suffer if I don’t go on the study?
- You will receive the usual treatment that other patients with the same type and stage of cancer who are not on study receive.
- You will never be penalized for deciding not to participate in a clinical trial. It is entirely your choice.
- You need to do what is best for you.
I’m afraid you are going to use me as a guinea pig.
- We know that your safety is very important to you. It is important to us too. There are many steps that must be taken to make sure the drug or therapy is as safe as possible before it is offered to patients.
- All clinical trials offered at the Tom Baker Cancer Center and the Cross Cancer Institute must be reviewed by a Research Ethics Board to make sure that the trials consider the best interests of patients.
- For each clinical trial, there is a committee that looks after patient safety. They review the results of the trial and can stop the trial early if there is evidence that the new drug or therapy isn't working or is harming patients.