What should I know about clinical trials?
ACS Answer
Before a new treatment is used on people, it is studied in the lab. If these studies suggest the treatment will work, the next step is to test it in patients. These tests are called clinical trials. The main questions the researchers want to answer are:
- Does this treatment work?
- Does it work better than the one we're now using?
- What side effects does it cause?
- Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
- Which patients are most likely to find this treatment helpful?
During your course of treatment, your doctor might suggest that you look into a clinical trial. This does not mean that you are being asked to serve as a human "guinea pig." A clinical trial is done only when there is some reason to believe that the treatment being studied may be of value. Being asked to be in a clinical trial does not mean that your case is hopeless and your doctor is suggesting a last-ditch effort.
Clinical trials are carried out in steps called phases. Each phase will answer certain questions. Ask your doctor if there is a clinical trial that might be right for you. Then learn all you can about that trial. There can be risks as well as benefits, and you can leave a clinical trial at any time.
What to do
- Ask your doctor whether he or she participates in clinical trials.
- Ask your doctor whether there are any clinical trials relevant to your medical situation.
- Ask about the purpose of the clinical trial.
- Ask about what the clinical trial involves, including what kinds of tests and treatments.
- Ask about what other treatments are available for you if you do not join the clinical trial.
- Ask about how the study can affect your daily life.
- Ask about side effects that might result from the treatment and what can be done about the side effects.
- Ask how long the study will last.
- Ask if there is the need to be in the hospital, how long, and how often.
- Ask about the costs. Will any of the treatment be free? Will your insurance cover the costs?
- Ask about what treatment will be available if you should be harmed as a result of the clinical trial.
- Ask what type of long-term follow-up care is available as part of the clinical trial.
Do not
- Agree to take part in a clinical trial until all your questions have been answered
Related Resources
The American Cancer Society offers a clinical trials matching service for patients, their family, and friends. You can gain access to this service through the ACS Cancer Information Center (1-800-ACS-2345) or the ACS Web site (www.cancer.org). Based on the information you provide about your cancer type, stage, and previous treatments, this service can compile a list of clinical trials that match your medical needs. In finding a center most convenient for you, the service can also take into account where you live and whether you are willing to travel.
You may also want to try these resources for more information on clinical trials:
Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.
Recommended Consultation
You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.
