Potential benefits of cancer trials

Access

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You may get access to new research therapies. These therapies often represent learnings from some of the most recent scientific advancements in cancer research.

Access

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You may get access to new research therapies. These therapies often represent learnings from some of the most recent scientific advancements in cancer research.

Additional care

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You will receive additional care throughout a cancer trial. This may include specialized attention and monitoring from doctors, nurses, and schedulers connected with the study who will partner with your oncology team to make sure you are appropriately monitored and following the research plan.

Advancing cancer treatment

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Most medicines and treatments available today were first developed through clinical research. If you or a loved one takes part in a clinical trial, that participation may help advance cancer treatment for years to come.

Comparable health outcomes

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Research shows that there are similar levels of benefits and risks between clinical trial participants and those not participating in trials. While participating in a clinical trial may come with varying levels of risk, it does not have to mean sacrificing your own health outcomes.^1,2

More knowledge

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Joining a cancer trial could allow you to learn more about your type of cancer. You could also get more information about support groups and other helpful resources.

Unknown side effects

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New research therapies may have unknown side effects, which can range from mild to more severe. Side effects are carefully assessed and monitored by a physician during a patient’s time in the trial.

Unknown side effects

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New research therapies may have unknown side effects, which can range from mild to more severe. Side effects are carefully assessed and monitored by a physician during a patient’s time in the trial.

Potential inconvenience

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Joining a cancer trial may require extra time and effort on your part. You may have more frequent or longer doctor appointments, take more tests, have additional procedures or hospital visits, or need to follow complex medication dosage schedules.

Ineffective treatment

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Even though a treatment may benefit others, it doesn’t mean that it will work for you.

Unable to choose treatment group

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In some clinical trials, you may not be in the group that gets the study treatment.

How will I learn about the risks of participating in clinical trials?

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If you decide to take part in a trial, the research team will explain the study and the potential risks before you join the trial. This is called “informed consent."

Cancer trials provide you or a loved one with a supervised way to potentially receive cutting-edge research treatments. Most trial participants living with cancer participate in Phase 3 clinical trials, by which time the safety of a treatment has already been studied. Any known potential side effects will be clearly explained and shared with you before you decide to participate.

Before joining a cancer clinical trial, it’s important for you or a loved one to weigh the risks and benefits of each treatment option. Research treatments can carry varying levels of risk, as they are still being tested in a clinical trial to understand their safety and how well they work. Additionally, approved medications, including ones offered in a clinical trial, can carry risks.

Throughout the trial, you will be cared for by nurses and doctors connected with the study, often in addition to your current medical team. If you have any questions or concerns about enrolling in a cancer trial, make sure you speak with a doctor or health care professional that is involved in cancer clinical trials.

How will I learn about the risks of participating in clinical trials?

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If you decide to take part in a trial, the research team will explain the study and the potential risks before you join the trial. This is called “informed consent."

Cancer trials provide you or a loved one with a supervised way to potentially receive cutting-edge research treatments. Most trial participants living with cancer participate in Phase 3 clinical trials, by which time the safety of a treatment has already been studied. Any known potential side effects will be clearly explained and shared with you before you decide to participate.

Before joining a cancer clinical trial, it’s important for you or a loved one to weigh the risks and benefits of each treatment option. Research treatments can carry varying levels of risk, as they are still being tested in a clinical trial to understand their safety and how well they work. Additionally, approved medications, including ones offered in a clinical trial, can carry risks.

Throughout the trial, you will be cared for by nurses and doctors connected with the study, often in addition to your current medical team. If you have any questions or concerns about enrolling in a cancer trial, make sure you speak with a doctor or health care professional that is involved in cancer clinical trials.

Do cancer trials put research needs over the needs of participants?

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The goal of clinical trials is to help people living with cancer, including those who are taking part in the study. Every participant will know what to expect before joining a cancer trial, and this open communication should continue throughout. Participation in a cancer clinical trial is voluntary. You can choose to stop at any time for any reason, or without giving a reason at all, and your decision will be respected.

If you have cancer, look at a clinical study as a part of your overall treatment plan and journey. Whether you’re currently in a cancer trial or not, remember that your care should be prioritized above all else.

If I join a cancer trial, will I receive a placebo?

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When you join a cancer clinical trial, you receive care no matter what. In most cases, you will receive either a currently recommended treatment or an emerging research treatment for your cancer.

A placebo, which looks like the treatment but does not have any real medicine in it, is sometimes given to help make sure the results are unbiased. However, since cancer is a serious, life-threatening disease, placebos are usually only used together with the standard treatment or when the standard treatment does not include any medication. Even then, getting a placebo does not mean you will not get any care. Regardless of the treatment, all participants receive careful monitoring.

Are cancer trials only a “last resort” option?

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Clinical trials are available for most types of cancer, even at the earliest stages of the disease. Some participants can join a trial from the beginning of their cancer treatment plan. If you are diagnosed with cancer, consider talking to your doctor about clinical trials as a potential cancer treatment option.