I opened an envelope from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts today to find an invitation to participate in a medical research study, otherwise known as a clinical trial. I can’t remember this ever happening before. It’s as rare an occurrence as my household being approached by the people at Nielsen ratings, which by the way has never happened. The trial’s purpose is to test whether vitamin-D and fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) supplements prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke.
On clinicaltrials.gov I am able to confirm that the Vitamin D and OmegA-3 Trial ( VITAL) is legitimate. The National Institute of Health is sponsoring the trials and will target women over 55 and men 50 and older who have never had a heart attack, stroke or cancer (other than skin cancer).
WHO IS BEING RECRUITED
Twenty thousand random participants are being recruited. If I were to participate, I could be assigned to one of four groups taking one of the following four combinations: (1) daily vitamin D3 and omega-3; (2) daily vitamin D3 and omega-3 placebo; (3) daily vitamin D placebo and omega-3; or (4) daily vitamin D placebo and omega-3 placebo for a period of 5 years.
I happen to already take these two supplements. Often they are recommended to people suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Surely this trial is not looking for a cure but testing whether in point of fact, the proposed supplements can be documented to work. Doctors already recommend them.
WHY PARTICIPATE
Statistics confirm African Americans, and I am one, are more prone to die prematurely from these diseases than other Americans. So because I am preoccupied with wellness and preventative medicine, my first thought is “Why not participate? You meet the criteria and are already taking these supplements. You can save some money.â€
But on a subliminal level I am thinking of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Syphilis trials they were subjected to and the more recently discovered case of Henrietta Lacks whose cervical cancer cells led to a polio cure. Both were unwitting guinea pigs. I don’t know that they would have agreed to participate in these government tests had they understood what was really going on.
HOW TO MAKE THE DECISION
My bottom line is to figure out the down side — whether I should be motivated because the clinical trial’s results will benefit me during my lifetime or will serve humanity. In my case, there is a good chance I can personally benefit from this knowledge. However, if I participate will I wind up being under-treated? After all, there is a 1 in 4 chance that I will not get both supplements.
There is a very real place for clinical trials. Without them, many drugs we take for granted and use daily would not be known.
But a one in four odds are not good enough for me to participate. I do not like the “not-knowing” of whether I have a placebo or not. I had already started to think about what I could do if I were to participate to ensure I was getting the daily allotment of both supplements that I needed. You know, how would I cover my odds. This is when I realized this trial is not for me. I need to know. So I will continue to pay my own way so that I know what I am putting into my body.
If this is a trial that is of interest to you, send an email to vitalstudy@rics.bwh.harvard.edu to provide your name and mailing address or call 1-800-388-3963
Do you have any strong feelings about participating in clinical trials. Any thoughts? Please share and retweet.
boomrwiz says
I agree Janet. I am certain one would never see the two Harvard female doctors who are the investigators on this trial. So that would cut you out. I don’t suppose I would feel this way if I were being told my options were nil. Thank you checking this out and for sharing. BTW I love the way the exhibition with photos on the trees look at Saunders Farm — http://www.art@janetgoldner.com
Janet Goldner says
Hi Patricia,
This trial seems to be of benefit in general, in the future but not necessarily to the participant. Not knowing what I’m taking would bother me too. And I’d have to really trust the doctors running the study with whom I would have little contact. I’m wary of the medical establishment in general.
Best,
Janet