If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial but just can not figure out how to navigate the government’s clinical trial web page (www.clinicaltrials.gov)  you could call 1-800-4-CANCER for assistance.  This number will put you in touch with the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Center for Cancer Research.

The operators who answer the phone will conduct a search for you. When they answer they will ask you questions like; where do you live; are you willing to travel; the type of cancer you have; the stage; as well as any other relevant information you wish to provide.   They will then conduct a search for you and send you a list of results.  I have a friend who told me that he received his list by email in about 24 hours.

While on the subject I do want to say there are many myths and misconceptions about cancer clinical trials.  For example the most common are:

Clinical trials aren’t safe…
You should only do a clinical trial if there are no other treatment options available…
Some participants get poorer medical treatment in clinical trials…

Unfortunately you have probably heard these statements or even said them yourself. But the fact of the matter is none of those things are true.

Clinical trials allows us to progress in our knowledge and understanding of prostate cancer.  We all shoulds consider a trial, it could provide us with a benefit and it will provide our brothers-in-arms with a benefit.

Joel T. Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.