| Mesothelioma cancer is one of the rarest and | | | | Institutional Review Board (IRB)." |
| deadliest forms of cancer that can be diagnosed to a | | | | What Is Mesothelioma? |
| patient. The life expectancy is often very short and | | | | The NCI reported that mesothelioma cancer is rare |
| there are often no successful treatment options, | | | | and often affects either the mesothelium (membrane |
| which is why it is imperative for a mesothelioma | | | | covering the internal organs) or the peritoneum, |
| patient to participate in a clinical trial. | | | | which is the "mesothelial tissue covering most of the |
| The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has made | | | | organs in the abdominal cavity inside the body,". |
| available an array of clinical trials for mesothelioma | | | | Mesothelioma has been linked to the inhalation of |
| cancer patients to become involved in and explains | | | | asbestos fibers or dust, which has often been linked |
| that "clinical trials are research studies that test how | | | | to employees working in an array of |
| well new medical approaches work in people." | | | | construction-related fields. The University of Toronto |
| Additionally, the NCI claims that those who partake in | | | | Environment Health and Safety department described |
| "cancer clinical trials have an opportunity to contribute | | | | the following asbestos uses: |
| to knowledge of, and progress against, cancer," | | | | * sprayed fireproofing within buildings on "structural |
| which may save the lives of others someday. | | | | steelwork" |
| According to the NCI there are several varieties of | | | | * thermal insulation was used for boilers, pipes, hot |
| clinical trials available to participate in, including the | | | | water tanks and heaters |
| following: | | | | * ceilings and walls may have had asbestos applied to |
| * Prevention trials, which test new medications, | | | | them as "acoustic or decorative finishes" |
| vitamins, supplements or approaches to decreasing | | | | * roofing materials |
| the risk of certain cancers. | | | | * acoustic paneling, ceiling tiles |
| * Screening trials are conducted in an attempt to | | | | * electric insulation |
| detect types of cancers early on, which is extremely | | | | * laboratory bench tops |
| important for mesothelioma case studies. | | | | * water or sewage piping systems |
| * Diagnostic trials "study tests or procedures that | | | | * asbestos-cement products |
| can be used to identify cancer more accurately," | | | | * asbestos paper, textile or felt products |
| according to the NCI. | | | | * door gaskets on furnaces or stoves |
| * Individuals who have cancer can become involved in | | | | * pipeline wrap |
| treatment trials that are developed in a way so | | | | * asbestos coatings, sealants, adhesives |
| participants can better understand and evaluate the | | | | * vinyl floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring |
| effectiveness of a new treatment. | | | | * table pads |
| * Quality-of-life or supportive care trials study the | | | | * heat protective mats |
| side effects commonly associated with cancers and | | | | * fire blankets and protective clothing |
| cancer treatments. | | | | Because asbestos was found to be a highly |
| Individuals who would like to take part in a clinical trial | | | | fire-retardant product as well as inexpensive when |
| because of their mesothelioma cancer diagnosis will | | | | mass produced, its uses were wide spread for years |
| find that clinical trials are professional and safe, | | | | until researchers made the link between asbestos and |
| according to the NCI, as they are commonly | | | | mesothelioma. Unfortunately, it took years for the |
| sponsored by government agencies including: | | | | link to be discovered as mesothelioma cancer often |
| * National Cancer Institute | | | | remains dormant for 10 to 30 years upon initial |
| * National Institutes of Health (NIH) | | | | exposure. |
| * The Department of Defense | | | | Living With Mesothelioma |
| * Department of Veterans Affairs | | | | Patients living with mesothelioma often face a grim, |
| Additionally, the NCI reports that individuals who do | | | | uphill battle of tremendously debilitating side effects |
| participate in clinical trials are protected by "strict | | | | as well as a lack of treatments and poor quality of |
| scientific and ethical principles" and that "every clinical | | | | life. Becoming involved in a mesothelioma clinical trial |
| trial has a protocol, or action plan, which acts like a | | | | can potentially enhance the remaining years of a |
| 'recipe' for conducting the trial." Also, all clinical trials | | | | victim's life or serve to extend the victim's life |
| that evaluate new drugs or medical devices for | | | | expectancy. |
| treatments of the cancer or its side effects and that | | | | It is also advisable to participate in a mesothelioma |
| are federally funded are "subject to FDA regulation | | | | lawsuit, which may offer monetary compensation for |
| that must be reviewed and approved by an | | | | a victim of this highly preventable and deadly cancer. |