People should know as much as possible about the clinical trial and feel comfortable asking the members of the health care team questions about it, the care expected while in a trial, and the cost of the trial. The following questions might be helpful for the participant to discuss with the health care team. Some of the answers to these questions are found in the informed consent document.

This is something to discuss with your medical team. There are many benefits to participating in clinical trials and there are also some risks. The clinical trial section of this website has more information to help you make up your mind on this important question. Special thanks to the members of CancerCare of Long Island lung cancer patient support group for their contributions to the list of questions.

The trial sponsor may pay for some of your medical care or tests. (Ask your doctor or the research nurse about who is responsible for these costs before agreeing to participate.) Your health insurance company may not pay for your clinical trial care or tests. (Ask your doctor or the research nurse about who is responsible for these costs before agreeing to participate.) You may have to receive all of your tests and treatment at M. D. Anderson.

You should know as much as possible about the clinical trial before signing the informed consent document, and you should feel comfortable asking the members of the research team any questions you may have. You will be given time to think about your decision, and you will be able to take the document home to talk it over with the important people in your life.

There are over 10,000 participants in the NDB. Each one is important because everyone's experience is unique. Since we have so many participants in the NDB research project, our research is able to answer questions about treatment effectiveness and side effects that could not otherwise be obtained ordinary medical studies.

Single-Day Targeted Intraoperative Radiotherapy is currently being evaluated as an alternative to Conventional Postoperative Radiotherapy and may only be obtained by participating in the Targit Trial. Half of the participants in the Targit Trial will receive Single-Day Targeted Intraoperative Radiotherapy at the time of surgery following removal of the breast cancer. The other half will receive Conventional Postoperative Radiotherapy given over a 6-7 week period after recovering from surgery.

After you have been assigned to one of the two treatments, USC will contact your insurance company or Medicare to determine if it will pay for your treatments. If your insurance company or Medicare refuses to pay for your treatments, you may only participate in the Targit Trial if you are willing and able to pay for the treatments yourself. USC will inform you of all associated costs prior to your making a final decision to participate in the Targit Trial.

It is very important for a potential participant to be as informed as possible about the study before becoming involved. A participant should feel comfortable asking questions and know his or her rights, many of which are described in informed consent. (Also see what to ask your researcher about your study.)

Clinical trials that are well-designed and well-executed are the best approach for eligible participants to: The protocol may require more of their time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays or complex dosage requirements.

Clinical trials allow access to new treatments before they become available to the public and allow you to expand your treatment options. Clinical trials provide an opportunity to contribute to science and medical research for future disease prevention and treatment.

You may be required to visit a physician and undergo evaluations more often than you would otherwise.

If a disability were to last for any significant length of time, this could have a considerable impact on an individual's financial security. Individuals who are considering starting a family or adding to their families in the future and will run out of accumulated sick and vacation time prior to returning to work from a pregnancy should consider STD coverage. Individuals who may have extensive surgery and the recovery period will last a number of weeks should consider STD coverage.

Volunteers in trials with a random treatment assignment will not be able to choose the treatment they will get. For some studies, volunteers may make more visits to the doctors office than if they were not participating in the clinical trial. It may take years for there to be enough study participants treated on a clinical trial before the results of the research become available.

Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available. Obtain expert medical care at leading health care facilities during the trial. Help others by contributing to medical research. Play an active role in your own health care.

Side Effects and Risks Related to Surgery: Side effects and risks related to breast cancer surgery are similar to any cancer removal surgery: infection, bleeding, loss or reduced nerve function, swelling (edema), blood clotting, hematoma (accumulation of blood within the wound), seroma (accumulation of fluid within the wound), wound breakdown, bruising, scarring, and allergic reactions.

Some clinical trials will pay you for joining the trial, while others will not. In some programs, researchers will reimburse you for expenses associated with participatingin the research. Such expenses may include transportation costs, child care, meals, and accommodations.

Participation in this research study is on a volunteer basis and does not involve any direct cost to you. Your medical insurance carrier will be expected to pay for the therapy and the follow-up requirements, as permitted. Those costs related to the study that are not covered by insurance will be covered by the study sponsor, Paracor Medical.

It's free! There is no monetary cost to you for your fees, housing, books, or meals. This is a value of over $3,000 per student. However, we do expect your full participation in all aspects of the Summer Bridge Program You'll have a chance to sharpen your skills in university level writing, math, science, and study skills. During the program, you will enjoy a cookout at the beach, a dance, a talent show, sports events, cultural programs, and many other opportunities for recreation.