Benefits of Clinical Trials for Prostate Cancer
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you probably have many questions surrounding treatment, surgery, and prevention of recurrence.
In the sea of information, one topic that may come up that’s worth your further consideration is participating in a prostate cancer clinical trial. If you’ve not participated in a clinical trial in the past, you may have many questions. For many, one of the first questions is: how can I benefit from a clinical trial?
Read on for some of the reasons you may want to consider a clinical trial for your prostate cancer treatment.
Access to the newest cutting-edge treatments
While traditional prostate cancer treatment may consist of a combination of surveillance, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy, participating in a clinical trial will potentially give you access to newer, more innovative treatments not yet used in a widespread manner.
While this may seem intimidating, keep in mind that clinical trials can lead to breakthroughs, and you could possibly have early access to these novel modes of treatment and prevention. From new drugs to modified treatment timelines to innovative new surgery methods, hundreds of new treatments are currently under investigation for prostate cancer. Should a treatment benefit be found from one of these trials, you would be among the first to benefit if you were a participant.
Immunotherapy, for example, which has revolutionized the treatment of many cancers in recent decades, only became approved after rigorous clinical trials. Many trial participants were the first to see these results.
A chance to lower your treatment costs
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In a clinical trial, typically, the cost of the intervention is covered by the sponsor of the study – or the cost is greatly reduced from what it would be if otherwise offered to the public.
While there may be costs incurred for supplemental travel, many insurances cover at least part of the additional financial burdens of clinical trial participation. In fact, the Affordable Care Act requires most insurance plans to cover “routine patient care costs” for most federally funded, FDA-reviewed Phase I through IV clinical trials “related to prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease.” Medicare and Medicaid recipients are also covered for many or most clinical trial costs.
Additional layers of care
If you take part in a prostate cancer clinical trial, you will have an additional layer of monitoring: the research team. Clinical trial research teams must follow stringent monitoring and follow-up techniques at regular intervals, so you will have access to an “extra layer” of care and several new sets of watchful eyes as you undergo your prostate cancer treatment and interventions.
Often, clinical trials are led by research teams at the edge of cutting-edge, innovative ideas and methods surrounding prostate cancer treatment and care, so you may also potentially gain more direct access to these top-tier researchers and medical professionals through your participation.
You may help future generations
Clinical trials are an essential step on the pathway to future Food & Drug Administration review and approval of prostate cancer treatments – without the contributions of study participants, this vitally important step cannot occur. By participating in a clinical trial, you can be a part of the process to set the stage for revolutionary prostate cancer treatments, helping future generations.
At Outcomes4Me, we are committed to helping you navigate your prostate cancer treatment options. Our app provides personalized information, resources, and support to help you stay informed and empowered. Download the Outcomes4Me app today to explore treatment options and access the latest research and insights on prostate cancer care.
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Prostate cancer and related treatment methods can influence your bones and bone strength. Maintaining strong, healthy bones is crucial for those with prostate cancer because it could put you at a higher risk for bone loss and osteoporosis. By understanding how prostate cancer affects bone health, you can proactively mitigate those risks.
Prostate cancer and bone metastases
The first way your bones might be affected is if your prostate cancer is at an advanced level and has metastasized to the bone. When prostate cancer spreads, the bones are one of the first areas of metastasis. The spine is most commonly impacted, but the legs, arms, pelvis, and ribs can also be affected.
Symptoms of bone metastasis
Symptoms can include bone pain as well as muscle weakness. While advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones is unlikely to be cured, treatments have advanced and you can still experience a strong quality of life and longer survival times – even decades in some cases.
When it comes to prostate cancer treatments and bone health, hormonal treatments can impact your bone health by blocking or reducing testosterone levels. This can cause thinning of your bones, so if you choose to receive hormonal therapies for your prostate cancer, be sure to ask your medical team about maintaining bone health.
How to maintain bone health
If possible, consider weight-bearing exercises, low-impact workouts, or gentle movement exercises. Talk to your medical team before attempting a new workout routine and avoid physical activity that could overwork your body like running, impact sports, or jumping.
Abstaining from tobacco and excessive alcohol might be something to consider, as both can negatively affect your bones over time. At the medicinal level, you might need the extra support of bisphosphonates, which are drugs that can help reduce bone pain and fight against bone loss sustained during hormone therapy or from prostate cancer metastasis.
If you’re dealing with prostate cancer and might have bone involvement, your medical team may ask you to undergo a bone density scan (sometimes referred to as a DEXA or DXA scan) to determine the extent of your bone risks. This test helps determine the level of mitigation you may need to implement to help keep your bones healthy during treatment.
In every case, speak to your medical team and let them know of any bone pain, muscle pain, or general concerns about your bones.
If you have additional questions about bone health or you’d like to speak with someone, you can connect with an Outcomes4Me oncology nurse practitioner at no charge through the Outcomes4Me app, using the “Ask Outcomes4Me” button.
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