top of page
SBC Logo Transparent background
Writer's pictureSurviving Breast Cancer

Clinical Trials 101

#FeatureFriday


Clinical trials are research studies involving people that help inform medical practice, answer specific questions regarding biomedical remediation, and test the efficacy of specific treatments and drugs. The US breast cancer drug market alone is projected to become a $20 billion industry by 2026 with 350 drugs currently in the pipeline, according to the latest report from Research and Markets[1]. With so many new drugs being studied there is great expectation to be able to extend a patient’s life and potentially find a cure for breast cancer.

With so many breast cancer drugs in the queue, would you be willing to participate in an upcoming clinical trial?

Before we address that very personal question, let’s take a step back to understand what a clinical trial actually is.

What is a Clinical Trial

As mentioned above: Clinical trials are research studies that involve people and help to inform medical practice. Clinical trials are divided into four phases, which build upon each other and each answer a specific research question in order to identify ways to prevent, screen or treat a disease. Some clinical trials are also comparative and evaluate the benefits and efficacy of current treatments to new potential therapies.

· Phase I studies usually test new drugs for the first time in a group of 10 or less to evaluate a safe dosage range, how to administer the drug (i.e., oral, intravenous etc.) and identify side effects.

· Phase II studies continue to evaluate the safety and expand a larger groups of human subjects to monitor side effects. During this phase, the drug is rarely compared to treatments that are considered to be standard of care. The goal of this phase is to monitor the participants see if the drug works. If so, it will progress to phase III.

· Phase III studies are conducted on larger populations typically involving 100 or more people and in different regions and countries. They are often the necessary phase needed before the drug is approved.

· Phase IV studies take place after country approval and there is a need for further testing in a wide population over a longer timeframe.

Participating in a Clinical Trial

While the goal of clinical trials is to reflect a diverse population, data shows that Black/African Americans make up 5% of trial participants with Hispanic/Latinos representing less than 1%[2]. This lack of representation in clinical trials result in drugs being approved and widely administered which may not be as efficacious among different populations.

These clinical trials are carefully designed, reviewed and completed, and need to be approved before they can start. It is important to know that participating in a clinical trial is voluntary and 100% at one’s own will.

What are the Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial

  • The opportunity to play an active role in your own healthcare

  • Access to an expert team that can give you a deeper understanding of your condition

  • Access to new research, or investigational medications before they are widely available

  • Additional care/tests specific to the trial

  • The knowledge that you’re helping others

  • Your quality of health and life may improve


Learn More

This is just scratching the surface of clinical trials. Join us for a livestream webinar where we speak with the experts and those diagnosed with breast cancer to learn more and hear about their experiences participating in trials.


References




24 views

Recent Posts

See All
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Dec 26
    Virtual
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Dec 26
    Online Event
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    IBC 2.0 is a private support group for individuals who have graduated from our standing Thursday Night Thrivers-IBC. Our IBC 2.0 group dives into topics, questions, and concerns on a deeper level as members already know one another and have graduated from TNT-IBC.
  • Mon, Dec 30
    Online Event
    Dec 30, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Dec 30, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Jan 02
    Virtual
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Jan 02
    Virtual
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the first Thursday of every month, we will have a special breakout room for the MBC community.
  • Multiple Dates
    Fri, Jan 03
    Online Event
    Jan 03, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Jan 03, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    You're invited to join our empowering online Pilates class set against the tranquil space of your home.
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, Jan 05
    Online
    Jan 05, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    Online
    Jan 05, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    Online
    Each month, the Breast Cancer Book Club chooses a book that has nothing to do with breast cancer.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Jan 06
    Online Event
    Jan 06, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Jan 06, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Jan 06
    Online Event
    Jan 06, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Jan 06, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Unlock the transformative potential of creative expression with our immersive art exploration sessions. Delve into the healing energy of artistic endeavors as you discover the profound impact of mindfulness on emotional equilibrium.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Jan 06
    Virtual
    Jan 06, 2025, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Jan 06, 2025, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Únete a nuestro grupo de apoyo emocional dirigido por una experimentada psicóloga para recibir el apoyo necesario mientras enfrentas el desafío del cáncer. El diagnóstico de cáncer puede traer consigo una carga emocional abrumadora, y estamos aquí para ayudarte a transitar este camino.

Upcoming
events

  • Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Dec 26
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Thursday Night Thrivers-IBC 2.0
    Thursday Night Thrivers-IBC 2.0
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Dec 26
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Dec 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    IBC 2.0 is a private support group for individuals who have graduated from our standing Thursday Night Thrivers-IBC. Our IBC 2.0 group dives into topics, questions, and concerns on a deeper level as members already know one another and have graduated from TNT-IBC.
  • Meditation Affirmations: Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
    Meditation Affirmations: Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
    Mon, Dec 30
    Dec 30, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Dec 30, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Jan 02
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • MBC Peer to Peer Support
    MBC Peer to Peer Support
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Jan 02
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Jan 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the first Thursday of every month, we will have a special breakout room for the MBC community.
  • Pilates with Nina: Breast Cancer Home Workouts
    Pilates with Nina: Breast Cancer Home Workouts
    Multiple Dates
    Fri, Jan 03
    Jan 03, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Jan 03, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    You're invited to join our empowering online Pilates class set against the tranquil space of your home.
  • Breast Cancer Book Club
    Breast Cancer Book Club
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Jan 05
    Jan 05, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    Online
    Jan 05, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    Online
    Each month, the Breast Cancer Book Club chooses a book that has nothing to do with breast cancer.

1

Surviving Breast Cancer provides breast cancer support, events, and webinars at no cost to you! Whether you are looking to gain more knowledge on a particular topic or meet up with other breast cancer survivors, we have something for everyone. 

2

Our standing appointment on Thursdays is for all stages. We also host specific breakout groups once a month for specific stages and subtypes such as Metastatic breast cancer, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer, etc. 

3

The Book Club meets the first Sunday of every month at 11 am ET. You are welcome to join each month or pick and choose your month based on your availability and the book we are reading. 

4

Through art, writing, and other creative modalities, we hold the power to manage our stress, make sense of our now, and relax into moments of stillness. 

5

Free, monthly, online classes in restorative yoga, yoga for breast cancer, and Zumba. 

6

Después de un Diagnóstico

bottom of page