| Perhaps you have already been diagnosed with | | | | and also people who are already currently under |
| mesothelioma. If so, there are still trials and clinics for | | | | treatment for mesothelioma cancer. |
| you as well. When you know how to find out about | | | | There are now new trials and new testing methods |
| these cancer trials and tests, you can sign up to | | | | for people with different types of this disease and |
| participate in trials that may help you discover new | | | | also those undergoing different types of treatments |
| ways to treat your mesothelioma and help you in | | | | for this cancer. The hopes are that these |
| other aspects of your treatment as well. It wasn't | | | | mesothelioma trials will lead to new treatments and |
| until the 1970s when people discovered the link | | | | hopefully a cure. |
| between asbestos and mesothelioma. Since then, | | | | When looking into a clinical trial that you have heard |
| there as been a decrease in asbestos exposure but | | | | about through your doctor, clinic or other source, you |
| an increase in cases as more and more people are | | | | need to know that there are different drug trial |
| diagnosed. This is because it can take many years | | | | phases. According to the Food and Drug |
| after exposure before mesothelioma develops. | | | | Administration, there are four different stages of |
| Mesothelioma is considered a rare form of cancer so | | | | mesothelioma trials. These are briefly defined below: |
| there is still a lot to be learned about it and how it | | | | Phase 1: Evaluate a particular drug or treatment in a |
| works in the body. Cancer trials help doctors and | | | | small group of about 20-80 people for the first time. |
| scientists learn more about this rare and chronic | | | | Phase 2: Test a larger group of people to see if the |
| disease to help others find a treatment and possibly | | | | treatment or drug is effective and how it should be |
| and cure one day. | | | | dosed, etc. |
| Specific clinical trials can help show how well people | | | | Phase 3: Administer a specific drug or treatment to a |
| respond to a certain type of treatment. In the past, | | | | larger group. Test for the effectiveness of the drug |
| it was very difficult to perform clinical trials for | | | | and how it should be used when released for use. |
| mesothelioma because little was known about the | | | | Phase 4: Perform follow ups and studies from the |
| condition and most people would die quickly after | | | | previous phases of research and mesothelioma trials. |
| realizing they had it, making long term studies nearly | | | | Get more information about the drug risk and |
| impossible. | | | | benefits and more. Get the drug ready to market to |
| That is not the case anymore today as we know | | | | the public. |
| more than we once did and clinical trials are now | | | | If you are considering participating in a mesothelioma |
| being conducted on a more long term basis for | | | | trial, just be sure you know it is being conducted by |
| people who have mesothelioma, people who have | | | | a qualified and trained trial and testing facility that is |
| been exposed to asbestos and might develop cancer | | | | regulated by the FDA. |