How Can I Make a Difference?

The power of one can make a difference. You can make a powerful contribution to improving women's health by participating in medical research and becoming part of the effort to understand health and treat disease. Today, it is easy to take health advances for granted. We know a lot about how to treat and prevent disease, but much remains to be learned.

The need to gather information from women is critical because medical research now tells us that there are important differences in how some diseases and treatments affect men and women.

Make your contribution by reviewing this information and learning how you can participate in a study that may provide life-saving information. Your body is a source of key information - sharing that information is something only you can do!

Because I am a nurse, I know that many common medications have not been studied for their effects on women. Sometimes there is no difference. But sometimes the differences are significant.

As a woman, I feel that if we are to expect equal medical treatment, we must step forward and participate in clinical studies.

I find it very rewarding to be a participant in a women's health study on menopause. I learn more about my own body and the changes I am experiencing.

You can help improve the lives of women everywhere by being a volunteer in a medical research study. Most of today's health information has come from studies on men. In the past, women were usually left out of medical research studies because doctors and scientists did not believe there were important differences in how diseases affected men and women. These differences are now widely recognized as key factors in understanding how our bodies work and fight disease. Today, these researchers need women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to participate in studies.

To take an active role in the future of medical knowledge, consider volunteering for a medical research study. You can help usher in a new era for women's health - an era in which women's bodies are understood just as well as men's.

Medical research unlocks mysteries
A medical research study examines a specific medical condition for a specified time period. Studies are designed to better understand that condition. A medical research study does not replace the care provided by your regular physician.

Wanted: Healthy Women to Help
Observational studies monitor people to find and compare changes in their health over time. Both healthy volunteers and those with a health problem can take part in observational research studies.

Improving Medicine
Clinical trials are studies that test a method of treating or preventing disease. This can be a new drug, vaccine, vitamin, device, or a health behavior change. Clinical trials are usually for people with a specific disease or risk of a disease, although healthy participants sometimes are needed.

Women volunteer for research studies for different reasons -- to learn more about their own health or medical condition or to help researchers develop new treatments. Others, especially women with chronic or life-threatening diseases, volunteer to test new treatments or therapies.

Choosing to take part in a medical research study is a decision only you can make with the help of family, friends, health care professionals, and others you trust and respect.

There are many things to consider before deciding to volunteer for a study. Before enrolling, you should understand:

	The purpose of the study
	The risks and benefits of participating
	The medical procedures involved
	The time commitment required
	The costs and whether or not your insurance will cover them

If you are thinking about volunteering for a medical research study, you should talk to your regular doctor or nurse to learn about studies taking place in your area.

The Society for Women's Health Research is the only national advocacy group in the United States dedicated to improving the health of women through research, education and advocacy. The Society has created resources to help you learn more about medical research studies and how you can participate. Here's how:

	Call the Society's toll-free number 1-877-33CANDO (1-877-332-2636) to request a free information kit about medical research studies. The kit includes a description of different types of medical research, a glossary of terms, and a list of resources to help you find studies that interest you.
	You can also order brochures or educational kits by sending an e-mail to info@womenshealthresearch.org. Be sure to provide your name and mailing address when requesting materials.

Find out more about medical research today, because there are some things only you can do. Choosing to participate in medical research is one of them.

As a woman, your health matters to many people in your life - your parents, children, spouse, friends, and colleagues. Taking charge of your health can mean a better life for you and your loved ones.

By taking part in a medical research study, you can leave a legacy of better health for all women. Medical advances are not "miracles." They are the result of years of work and research.

Whether you have a disease or condition that needs treatment or are in perfect health, you can play an important role in improving healthcare. By volunteering to take part in a study, you can make a valuable contribution to medical knowledge.

My mother never had the chance to be involved in medical research. She spent years in a nursing home where she suffered from breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

When I heard about a research program on the radio, I thought about the risk factors in my family medical history. I have been in the research program for three years and have learned about ways to reduce my risk for disease.

I hope women realize how important it is to take advantage of medical research opportunities.