SCRI

Why Should I Participate In a Clinical Trial? Personalized Medicine Clinical trials often utilize personalized medicine which looks at a patient's specific genetic mutations, markers or DNA sequencing to inform treatment approach. Many personalized medicine therapies are only available through clinical trials. Careful Monitoring Because the promising new treatment is being carefully studied, patients are also carefully monitored by healthcare professionals to see how they are doing and to watch for side effects. Patients enrolled in clinical trials tend be moniored, and talk with their care team, more often than those not enrolled on a clinical trial. Safety First Requirements for clinical trials are strictly managed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Before a therapy is approved for testing in humans, the FDA ensures that it has gone through strict testing protocols in laboratory animals. Close to Home Many community cancer centers offer clinical trials close to home without having to travel to an academic research institution. Depending on the type of clinical trial you seek, you may have many options available in your own community. Scientific Advancement Without clinical trials, there is no progress toward cures for cancer. By participating in scientific research through a clinical trial, you can help future cancer patients access new, better treatments and play a more active role in your own health care. People who enroll in clinical trials have access to the newest treatments before the general public.

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