Do clinical trials use sugar pills?
Almost never, though there are select situations in which there is no clearly defined standard of care for which no treatment has been proven to be effective. In this situation, participants could be randomized to a new treatment versus a placebo. Generally, phase III clinical trials randomize patients to a standard of care, newer treatment, or standard […]
Do doctors get paid more if I’m on a clinical trial?
No, in fact, it’s probably the opposite. Enrolling a patient in a clinical trial and providing care while on the clinical trial takes more time and resources than patients receiving standard treatment. This may decrease the amount of time a physician has to see other patients.
Do I have to share my information with the government while on a clinical trial?
Many clinical trials are designed and managed by the National Cancer Institue (NCI) in the United States. This is a government funded agency whose goal is to improve cancer care. Data from many clinical trials are collected and stored within the NCI or aligned agencies, however, it is typically de-identified such that patients are protected from […]
What information should I trust?
Information about cancer from the internet, the press, and your friends can be accurate, biased, incomplete, speculative, premature, irrelevant. Sorting out what’s helpful can be a real challenge. Science changes its mind when presented with enough contrary evidence. This is its main strength. Always demand evidence and be skeptical of any claim that can’t be […]
Will genetic testing impact my treatment?
Increasingly, it may. Women with BRCA (breast cancer gene mutations) for years have used this information in surgical decision making (removing both breasts or removing one breast or part of one breast). Very recently, genetic mutations now may alter medical decision-making for several cancers as there are now specific treatments for cancer that are directed […]
Why does pharmacy take so long?
With chemotherapy, there is no room for error. The pharmacy personnel must be 100% correct and accuracy takes time. Your chemotherapy must be germ free and prepared in a biological safety cabinet using sterile supplies and special techniques to keep it sterile. Your doctor needs to examine you and look at your lab values before […]
Will I lose my hair?
Some forms of intensive chemotherapy can cause hair loss. We’ll tell you if this is something you should expect. Most forms of radiation therapy don’t cause hair loss. Whole or partial brain radiation is an exception, and may result in hair loss.
Will I have nausea during treatment?
Nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Most cancer treatments don’t cause nausea anymore. But for the ones that do, we can almost always prevent nausea or vomiting with nausea-preventing medications. If you experience nausea at all during treatment, it will most likely be mild (like a minor hangover or morning sickness) and it will usually only last for a day or two after treatment.
Should I join a cancer support group?
Yes. It really is that simple. You think you don’t need it, or won’t benefit from it. You’re mistaken. Try it. You may not need it for long. Maybe only once will be all you need. But no one other than a group of people going through the same thing will ever understand. Not even your doctor.
Will I have fatigue during treatment?
Cancer treatment often causes some degree of fatigue. Cancer can cause fatigue as well. The pattern and intensity depend on the type and schedule of your treatment. CANCER FATIGUE: Sometimes the cancer itself can cause fatigue, depending on the type and extent of disease. If you have curable, early-stage cancer you may only notice fatigue […]
