This edition of Dr. Steensma’s quarterly column is about participating in clinical trials. It will be published as a two-part series. In Part 1, Dr. Steensma describes the different types of clinical trials and where to find them. In Part 2, he will address concerns that MDS patients may have about participating in clinical trials.
Clinical trials – sometimes called “investigational studies” or “experimental protocols” – are medical research studies that follow a specific, pre-defined plan, called a study…
When many patients find out they have a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), their thoughts turn quickly to the impact of the disease on loved ones, especially close relatives.
How will my family deal with this news? What should I tell them about my condition and prognosis, and what information should I keep to myself? If the disease one day takes my life, how will my family cope in my absence? Worst of all, could I have unknowingly passed this rotten disease…