Bladder Cancer

Your doctor may suggest a clinical trial. These are research studies that contribute to medical knowledge related to treatment, diagnosis and prevention of diseases or conditions. Keep in mind that all the advancements in treating bladder cancer have been the result of clinical trials.

Clinical trials investigate new or emerging treatments for a disease and compare these treatments to established protocols to determine their effectiveness, safety or new usage. The results of these studies can substantially influence future cancer care. Ultimately, the goal of a clinical trial is to provide you and the entire cancer community longer, healthier lives.

If you are interested in clinical trials, first, consult with your medical team to identify the trials they recommend. After gathering your diagnosis and treatment information, you can search for bladder cancer trials online or by phone. In conducting your search you may need to include information such as age, any complicating illnesses, preferred treatment location or previous treatments.

Once you have found a trial that interests you, call the clinical trial team to gather information. Then, discuss it with your doctor and loved ones.

Even if you don’t know much about clinical trials, you may have heard some of the myths surrounding them. Don’t allow misinformation to influence your consideration of clinical trials. Be sure you know the facts, and you’ll feel more informed and confident as you discuss clinical trials with your doctor and your loved ones. Following are some common myths about clinical trials.

MYTH: Clinical trials are a last resort.

FACT: Actually, many patients today choose clinical trials as their first treatment option. In some situations, a trial may offer the best survival rate among treatments. At any stage, and for any type of cancer, they deserve the same consideration as other options for many reasons.

MYTH: Clinical trials are not safe.

FACT: All trials follow a very regimented process. They are subject to the safety measures put in place by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and every participating clinic, hospital, university and cancer center must follow them.

MYTH: If my doctor doesn’t recommend a clinical trial, I can’t participate in one.

FACT: Thousands of trials are taking place all over the country, and it may be difficult for your doctor to know about every one of them. Online resources make it possible to search for them on your own by cancer type and other key factors.