Breast cancer: How important are clinical trials? Doctor explains

I received an unexpected phone call from Singapore the other day. 
'How are you doctor?'
'I am fine Sara. How is your mother?'

'She is alright. We went to the hospital few days ago. They said that the scanning reports showed progress.'
'When will you be back?'
'I'm not sure.'

Sara’s mother-in-law Thresiamma suffers from breast cancer. Thresiamma’s son Philip and his family are settled in Singapore. She was already in the fourth stage when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Tablets were used for treatment because the hormone levels were positive. However, two years later, the illness reappeared. Her condition didn’t change despite trying a different treatment method.

Sara and Philip decided to enrol Thresiamma for a clinical trial in Singapore when they became dejected about their mother’s condition. All the formalities and tests were done before Thresiamma began the clinical trial. The trial gave positive results, and Thresiamma has been recovering. Sara had called to share the positive news. Clinical trials have been quite controversial in Kerala for some time. While patients see this merely as an experiment, some of the doctors consider clinical trials an unwanted headache. But this lack of interest and motivation mars the chances of hundreds of patients who could actually benefit from the clinical trials. 

All the treatment methods, drugs, and procedures currently used by the medical community around the globe have been developed as a result of proper clinical trials. However, the trials that are conducted abroad may not be valid or significant here. Besides, there is a reluctance here to accept experimental trials or new treatment methods. But, things have begun to change slowly as patients have started realising the significance of clinical trials. 

Not for financial gains
Being cautious is indeed an important aspect, as clinical trials are primarily conducted for the well-being of patients. Clinical trials are no longer conducted just for financial gains. Many people find a ray of hope in their lives as a result of these clinical trials. But, clinical trials would get acceptance among the public and the doctors here only if our system is equipped to oversee and monitor them. The advanced treatment that Thresiamma was able to get as part of a clinical trial in Singapore should be accessible for patients here as well. 
(The writer is a senior consultant medical oncologist at Rajagiri Cancer Centre, Kochi.)