Clinical Trials Are At The Heart Of All Medical Advances
Only through clinical research can we gain insights into new ways to prevent and detect cancer and learn about the safety and efficacy of new therapies and medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Physicians and researchers develop action plans (protocols) for each clinical trial. These plans describe the study’s objectives, steps, methodologies and schedule. If you are interested in participating in a study, doctors will evaluate your cancer type, age, gender, medical history and current health status to determine your eligibility.
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A doctor or research nurse will give you important facts about the clinical trial. You will learn about its purpose, tests and procedures, as well as any potential risks and benefits.
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Every clinical trial follows strict scientific and ethical principles. National and local experts, including the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the research organization conducting the trial, must approve research studies before they begin. IRBs include doctors, researchers, community leaders and consumers. These groups ensure the study is conducted fairly and that you are always well-informed of your rights.
If you choose to participate in a study, you will sign a consent form that explains the study. Even if you sign the form, you may end your participation at any time.
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Participating in a clinical trial offers several benefits:
- You may have access to promising new therapies that may be more effective or less toxic than existing treatments. These therapies may not be available elsewhere.
- You can enhance your cancer care by expanding your treatment options.
- You will receive expert medical care during the trial and throughout your treatment.
- Your overall health is closely monitored throughout the trial.
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Being part of a clinical trial does carry some risks:
- If you participate in a randomized trial, you cannot choose the therapy approach you receive.
- Therapies under investigation are not always better than the current standard of care.
- New treatments may have unknown side effects or risks.
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Before choosing to participate in a clinical trial, consider asking these questions:
- What is the purpose of this study?
- How will it help me or other patients?
- What side effects might I experience?
- What other treatment options are available?
- Are there possible long-term risks?
- How will participating in this study affect my daily life?
- What are the treatments, medical tests or procedures I will undergo during the study?
- Who will oversee my care?
- How long will the study last?
- Will my health insurance cover treatments and tests I receive as part of this study?
- What kind of follow-up care will I receive after the study?
Contact Us
If you are a healthcare professional and would like to refer a patient or schedule a consultation, please contact the clinical trials office.