ENROLLING IN CLINICAL TRIALS

A cancer diagnosis is among the scariest things in the world. Even with modern medical advancements, cancer is, for some, a death sentence. Given that, it’s understandable that patients consider trying cutting edge treatments that are still in the testing stages. Dr. Stephen Garrett Marcus, author of “Complications of Cancer,” offers his expert advice on seeking out and enrolling in clinical trials.

“While experimental treatments are not the best option for everyone with cancer, they can be a very good one for people for whom current treatments offer poor outcomes,” Marcus said in a news release. “And, in the greater scheme of things, trial participants are making an important contribution to others with the disease.”

According to the release: The National Institutes of Health’s website, www.clinicaltrials.gov, offers the most comprehensive registry of cancer clinical trials. Each entry includes the purpose of the study, patient eligibility criteria, study locations and contact information. A physician’s referral to a clinical trial is helpful, but patients also can make appointments on their own. Experimental drugs should be free. “Legitimate research almost never asks for money from subjects,” the release notes. “Be very wary of treatments advertising high-cost, ‘cash only’ payments.”

For more information about Marcus and his book, go to www.complicationsofcancer.com.