When a person receives a cancer diagnosis, participating in
clinical trials is one possibility in treatment options. In order to
find new cures for life threatening conditions, new medications are
being developed on an ongoing basis. Patients have the choice of going
for the tried and true pharmaceuticals or trying something on the
cutting edge of science. There are pros and cons to both options.
Positive Aspects of the Unknown
One of the positive reasons to try a new medication is that it might offer vast improvement over the old ways. Scientists and medical researchers are constantly searching for better ways to cure patients. If this weren't true, many medications that have saved the lives of many individuals wouldn't have come on the scene. For example, if penicillin weren't invented, many people would still die from infections that are now cured in a snap. Without clinical trials in modern medicine, doctors might still be using leaches to remove their patients' blood in their treatment plans.
Negative Aspects of Trying Something New
On the other hand, new medications might not work as well as the tried and true drugs. Clinical trials might reveal that XYZ drug has adverse side effects. This is one of the risks that patients who opt for being a part of research studies have to understand. However, before being researched on humans, medications have to be thoroughly studied and deemed relatively safe.
Positive Side of Staying with the Tried and True
Patients who opt to stay with the round of treatment that's been used for eons know what to expect. There are gold standards of care that translate to being the best treatments that are currently known. For certain illnesses and conditions, a patient may prefer to go with a known entity than venturing into unchartered waters.
Negative Side of the Gold Standard
On the other hand, sticking with the method deemed good enough means eliminating the chance for a true cure. The patient who participates in a study may become the individual who is completely cured. He or she may go down in medical history as the first person saved from a dangerous disease. Yesterday's gold standard might become tomorrow's silver or even bronze standard.
Participating in clinical trials is a way of being a pioneer in medical research history. By experimenting, doctors and scientists can move ahead to find true cures. Some patients may choose to be a part of these studies while others prefer to stay with the tried and true. Whether you opt to be an adventurous participant in a study or to stay with the gold standard of care is completely up to you.
Positive Aspects of the Unknown
One of the positive reasons to try a new medication is that it might offer vast improvement over the old ways. Scientists and medical researchers are constantly searching for better ways to cure patients. If this weren't true, many medications that have saved the lives of many individuals wouldn't have come on the scene. For example, if penicillin weren't invented, many people would still die from infections that are now cured in a snap. Without clinical trials in modern medicine, doctors might still be using leaches to remove their patients' blood in their treatment plans.
Negative Aspects of Trying Something New
On the other hand, new medications might not work as well as the tried and true drugs. Clinical trials might reveal that XYZ drug has adverse side effects. This is one of the risks that patients who opt for being a part of research studies have to understand. However, before being researched on humans, medications have to be thoroughly studied and deemed relatively safe.
Positive Side of Staying with the Tried and True
Patients who opt to stay with the round of treatment that's been used for eons know what to expect. There are gold standards of care that translate to being the best treatments that are currently known. For certain illnesses and conditions, a patient may prefer to go with a known entity than venturing into unchartered waters.
Negative Side of the Gold Standard
On the other hand, sticking with the method deemed good enough means eliminating the chance for a true cure. The patient who participates in a study may become the individual who is completely cured. He or she may go down in medical history as the first person saved from a dangerous disease. Yesterday's gold standard might become tomorrow's silver or even bronze standard.
Participating in clinical trials is a way of being a pioneer in medical research history. By experimenting, doctors and scientists can move ahead to find true cures. Some patients may choose to be a part of these studies while others prefer to stay with the tried and true. Whether you opt to be an adventurous participant in a study or to stay with the gold standard of care is completely up to you.
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