Executive Summary
Clinical trials are considered a better method for treating breast cancer in men. The evaluation of new drugs, different combinations of treatments, new approaches to radiation therapy or surgery, and new therapies are integrated into breast tumour clinical trials in men. New treatments with better efficacy and safety are the outcome of a clinical trial. The results of the clinical trials have been effective in reducing the symptoms and side effects during the treatment. Volunteers or patients willing to participate in the clinical trials should communicate with their doctor and healthcare team and research expertise to make well decided informed choices regarding participating in the problem while signing informed consent. The volunteers willingly participate as they know the studies are a way to help advance the treatment of early- and late-stage breast cancer in men.
Clinical trials of Breast Cancer in Men
On the path to finding different ways to treat cancer, various research and trials have been carried out to find safe and effective treatments other than the standard ones. Every drug that is used now was once tested in clinical trials. The clinical studies mainly focus on finding a safe, effective, and better treatment or diagnostic procedure. They evaluate new chemotherapy or radiotherapy drugs for better treatment of cancer.
Taking part in clinical trials can benefit people by receiving treatment before it is available 1. As the coin has two sides, there are some risks with the clinical trials, including its side effects and the possibility of new clinical trials not working. Clinical trials are also conducted on drugs and other therapies that can relieve the symptoms and side effects of treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc 2. People are strongly encouraged to talk with their health care team about the pros and cons of joining a specific study.
Participating in clinical trials can have many reasons. For some people, taking part in a clinical trial is the only option to receive the best treatment for the type of cancer. Because standard treatments are not perfect, people are willing to face the uncertainty and challenges of a clinical trial to seek a better result.
Insurance and the costs of clinical trials change depending upon location and by study. Some of the expenses from participating in the clinical trial are reimbursed in several programs.
Clinical trials also have specific “eligibility criteria” rules that help research patients be safe. You and your research team carefully review these criteria together. People participating in a clinical trial can stop participating at any time for any medical or personal reasons. The reasons may include that the new treatment is not working or has severe side effects. Experts keep an eye on clinical trials for any problems with each study.
References
- 1.Plichta JK, Ren Y, Marks CE, et al. Surgery for Men with Breast Cancer: Do the Same Data Still Apply? Ann Surg Oncol. Published online July 23, 2020:4720-4729. doi:10.1245/s10434-020-08901-z
- 2.Corrigan KL, Mainwaring W, Miller AB, et al. Exclusion of Men from Randomized Phase III Breast Cancer Clinical Trials. The Oncologist. Published online April 28, 2020:e990-e992. doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0871