Every Wednesday in 2024 will be dedicated to learning about the clinical trial process and to highlighting the groundbreaking clinical trials focused on gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). We understand the importance of staying informed about the latest advancements in research and treatment options, and we want to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your healthcare journey.
Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress, serving as the driving force behind the development of new treatments and therapies. Understanding the details of these trials is crucial, as it empowers you to make informed decisions about your healthcare, demystifies the process, and ensures you play an active role in shaping the future of GIST treatment.
Staying healthy is important during any cancer treatment, but especially during clinical trials. Certain health conditions can prevent you from participating in clinical trials because they may interfere with the study results or make the treatment unsafe for you. Staying as healthy as possible during clinical trials can also improve the treatment’s effectiveness.
Because of this, it’s important to carefully monitor your health while participating in a clinical trial. Aspects of your health that you should pay attention to include side effects you are experiencing from the treatment, nutrition, and exercise.
Pay attention to side effects
Before starting any clinical trial, it’s a good idea to ask the research team or your doctor about whether there are any side effects to be aware of. Many cancer treatments, including those that you may take during clinical trials, can cause side effects that may make you feel sick, which in result can affect your diet/nutrition.
Some common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
Take note of side effects you are experiencing and talk about your symptoms with your care team and the research team for the clinical trial. Your doctor or health care provider can help you manage your symptoms and feel better. Depending on the severity of the side effect, the research team may be able to provide suggestions or changes regarding the clinical trial treatment.
Reporting side effects in clinical trials is crucial for the overall results of the study. Researchers for clinical trials need to document side effects that may be caused by the new treatment to have a complete understanding of the new treatment and future patients can be informed.
Because many side effects can affect your diet and nutrition, make sure to pay close attention and check in with your doctor if you have any major changes in your weight or eating habits. Read on to learn more about why maintaining a healthy diet and body weight is important during treatment in a clinical trial.
Diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight
Your diet is an extremely important part of staying healthy during treatment. Eating nutritiously and exercising appropriately will help ensure that the treatment you are receiving works as well as possible. You may want to consider asking your doctor or the research team about seeing a dietician who can give you expert advice on managing nutrition to control side effects and stay healthy during your new treatment.
Some general recommendations for keeping your health balanced during treatment include:
- Getting enough sleep and rest
- Eating enough calories to maintain a healthy body weight
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Limiting the amount of red meat and processed meats you eat
- Staying hydrated – drink plenty of water
- Avoiding alcohol
- Limiting your salt intake
- Getting regular (safe) physical activity
When following these recommendations and trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle, it’s always important to check in with your doctor and research team to make sure that your choices don’t negatively affect your treatment or your health.
For example, some medications may lead to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, so taking certain supplements can help you meet your nutrition goals or prevent side effects. On the other hand, some supplements may interfere with the treatment or cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor or research team will know which supplements are safe and which should be avoided, so check with your doctor or research team about any supplements you may be taking before you start taking any new supplements.
Similarly, specific foods might interfere with certain treatments or cause unwanted side effects when eaten in combination with the treatment in the clinical trial. Therefore, some foods may need to be avoided while taking specific medications. Check with your doctor or member of the research team about whether there are restrictions on what foods you can eat during the clinical trial.
Exercise is an important part of staying strong and healthy for your treatment, however it’s important to exercise safely. Regular exercise can help you increase bone and muscle strength, improve mood, decrease pain, and decrease fatigue. However, too much exercise can make some symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor about how to safely and effectively incorporate exercise into your routine.
Staying healthy during clinical trials is extremely important for making sure you feel your best and get the most effective treatment possible. When starting any new treatment or clinical trial, make sure you talk to your whole health care team about how you can avoid side effects, stay strong, and maintain a nutritious diet to stay as healthy as possible.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNhQ_0oS0jI
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/eating-well-during-your-treatment
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq
https://llsnutrition.org/nutrition-guidelines-for-clinical-trial-participants/
If you would like to speak to someone from The Life Raft Group about the possibility of joining a Clinical Trial, please reach out to the Data Management & Research Team at patientregistrydepartment@liferaftgroup.org or call 973-837-9092, 9am-5pm ET.
To learn more about clinical trials available to patients with GIST, please visit The Life Raft Group’s GIST Trials website or clinicaltrials.gov.
