- 2 min read
How can clinical trials help with prostate cancer?
Medical research into the use of medications and new therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer is essential to finding better ways of treating this disease. If a new treatment looks promising, researchers will conduct clinical trials, which are often the only way to get funding and access to new and promising treatments.
How do I find out about clinical trials?
A major group in Australia that funds clinical trials in prostate cancer is the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP). Clinical trials are also funded by philanthropic groups connected to research centres and drug companies.
Clinical trials often have strict eligibility criteria which depend on what the researchers are studying. Ask your healthcare team or a PCFA nurse if there are any trials that might be suitable for you.
To learn more about clinical trials or find clinical trials currently been run, go to the following links:
Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP)
ANZUP – Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials
Australian Clinical Trials
Australian Clinical Trials
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
ANZCTR
Cancer Australia Cancer Trials
Welcome to Australian Cancer Trials
What does it mean to be involved in a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are a way to get access to new treatments, but these treatments are still considered to be experimental while under trial. Make sure you know the potential benefits and risks before signing up. Call a PCFA Nurse on 1800 22 00 99
What is involved in a clinical trial will differ according to the trial.
If you are eligible, you will be given a lot of information about the clinical trial including its purpose, what you will be required to do and how long the trial will go for.
You will also be given information on possible benefits and risks, and you will be required to sign patient consent documents.
Make sure you ask your doctor or the clinical trial nurse lots of questions and understand what is involved before you decide to take part in the study. You can also talk to your healthcare team or a PCFA nurse.
Once the trial commences you will need to follow a protocol or treatment regime. You may need additional visits to your doctor to keep track of your progress and this may continue for a long time. You may need to have follow up imaging scans, blood tests or biopsies.
Remember to ask what appointments, tests and examinations will be covered by the clinical trial and what you will need to pay for yourself. If you need to travel for treatment for the clinical trial, ask if your cost of transport and parking will be paid.
Key Points
- New medications or therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer will be studied in clinical trials before being widely available
- The Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) is a major group that funds prostate cancer trials
- Being part of a clinical trial may give you access to new and emerging treatments, but may also mean extra travel and tests and scans
- Taking part in clinical trials is entirely voluntary, you should never feel pressured to take part if you don’t want to
- Talk to your healthcare team or PCFA nurse about clinical trials appropriate for you
