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Why Sign Up for Medical Trials?

People participate in clinical trials and medical studies for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you want to help others with a similar medical condition. Maybe you've exhausted established treatments. Or perhaps you've chosen to take an active role in your own healthcare. You should be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of clinical trials; this page explains them both.

A New Treatment?
For many people, the possibility of helping bring about a medical breakthrough that could improve their own health and that of thousands of others is reason enough to take part in medical trials. Imagine helping develop a new cancer treatment or better treatment options for diabetes. With the constant advancement of medical studies anything is possible.

The Importance of Participating
According to the National Cancer Institute, only five percent of cancer patients take part in clinical trials. If that number were doubled a test for a new cancer treatment or therapy could be completed in one year. At present, it takes three to four years to complete a medical trial, so it's easy to see how increased participation positively affects medical studies.

Healthcare Advantages
The World Medical Association (WMA) has strict rules for the treatment of participants of medical studies. These rules are set out in the Declaration of Helsinki. Among other things, the WMA insists that participants in clinical trials receive the best possible healthcare. This means that, for the duration of their participation in the clinical trials, participants receive free healthcare from leading experts for medical conditions related to the study. Any study-related medications required during the trials are provided free of charge, and some trials even pay for your time.

Medical trials give patients access to new treatments before they're widely available. If you've exhausted all established treatments, taking part in these medical studies allows you to try different options. You're also taking an active role in your own healthcare, rather than waiting for the clinical trials to be completed and the drug or other treatment to become available to the public.

Disadvantages
You should be aware of some of the common disadvantages to medical trials. Depending on the type of clinical trial, you may be required to fill out lengthy questionnaires or stay at a hospital for periods of time. The medical treatment may have unforeseen side effects or even have no effect on your condition. Travel may be required, although we strive to match you with the closest possible facility. In general, though, most people feel the many advantages to participating in clinical trials outweigh the few disadvantages.