By Dr. David Samadi
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, exploring the possibility of being accepted and participating in a clinical trial can be a proactive step. Your involvement can contribute significantly to the progress of medical research, ultimately benefiting current and future patients. Clinical trials are essential in helping doctors and scientists develop new treatments, refine existing ones, and better understand diseases like prostate cancer.
So, what is involved in a clinical trial, and how can it impact your care? Let’s explore the key points to help you make an informed decision.
Why Clinical Trials Matter
Clinical trials are fundamental for medical progress. Every drug, treatment, or therapy we rely on today was once tested in a clinical trial. By participating, men with prostate cancer can contribute to breakthrough discoveries that may improve care for others down the line, especially if they have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
What is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are designed as research studies with the purpose of testing the effectiveness and safety of new medical approaches. These studies often compare new treatments to the standard care options currently available. Whether it’s a new drug, a screening method, or a treatment procedure, these trials help ensure that the latest healthcare innovations are safe and effective.
Here’s a quick look at the different types of clinical trials:
- Prevention: Studying how to reduce the risk of diseases.
- Screening: Testing methods to detect diseases earlier.
- Diagnostics: Improving accuracy and speed in diagnosing conditions.
- Treatment: Exploring new ways to manage or cure diseases.
- Quality of Life: Enhancing care for those with long-term conditions.
What to Expect if You Join a Clinical Trial
Before participating, you’ll need to meet certain criteria specific to the trial. Once accepted, you’ll go through an evaluation and be briefed on everything involved in the study. This includes learning about the trial’s goals, potential risks, and the expected outcomes.
Throughout the process, clinical trials are closely monitored to ensure patient safety. This includes oversight by ethical review boards and strict guidelines around informed consent. That means your health information, including your identity, will be protected according to privacy laws like HIPAA.
In most cases, the trial sponsor—often a pharmaceutical company—covers the cost of participating, including lab tests, imaging, and consultations. However, checking with the study coordinator beforehand is important to clarify any questions about insurance coverage or out-of-pocket expenses.
Your Role in Advancing Prostate Cancer Treatment
Whether you decide to participate is entirely up to you, and you can leave the trial anytime. If you’re curious about joining, speak to your urologist—they can help match you with a trial that aligns with your treatment plan and goals.
By volunteering for a clinical trial, you’re helping yourself and contributing to a future where prostate cancer treatments are even more advanced and effective. It’s an opportunity to make a real difference for yourself and others in the future.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of two books, Prostate Cancer, Now What? A Practical Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery, and The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.