A clinical trial is a research study that’s
designed to find better ways to prevent, screen
for, diagnose and/or treat cancer. Cancer treatments
that are available today are a result of clinical trials and
patients who were willing to help science find new and
better ways to treat a disease. Clinical trials are an important
care option that you should discuss with your healthcare team.
We’ve curated FAQs, as well as “Questions to Ask My Healthcare Team”
to help guide your discussions.
Clinical trials are research studies that compare the standard of care, which are the most effective known treatment available, with a new approach. There are clinical trials for all types and stages of cancer from prevention through long-term survivorship.
There are many kinds of clinical trials and a few examples include:
To ensure a clinical trial is safe and effective, researchers conduct clinical trials in different phases. Each phase is designed to answer a separate question.
Phase I trials determine the optimal safe dose of a treatment.
Phase II trials measure safety and effectiveness, providing an early assessment of whether the treatment works and what side effects are.
Phase III trials compare the new treatment to current standard of care to see which works better, while also comparing side effects.
Phase IV trials assess long-term safety and effectiveness in large, diverse populations.
Tests the
safety
Tests the
safety and
effectiveness
Compares the
new treatment
to current
standard of
care
Gathers
additional
information
about
long-term use
What are my
rights and
protections?
Ask, Learn, and Evaluate Your Options.
Before signing up for a clinical trial, it’s important
you understand what treatment is offered and how
this differs from the standard treatment available for
your cancer. Find out about any side effects of the study.
Talk to a social worker for emotional support. Ask
questions that can help you determine which
option is best for you and your lifestyle. A list of
recommended questions to ask can be
found at the end of this section.
Understand Your Rights and Protections.
People who enroll in clinical trials have rights and
protections to ensure their privacy and well-being
are maintained. One of the most important protections
is called informed consent, which ensures you understand
all aspects of the clinical trial, any potential risks and
benefits, as well as any financial obligations. You will
be asked to sign a HIPAA authorization form, which
allows your healthcare team to use and share
your health information as part of the study
information without sharing your name
or other personal details.
What will
this cost?
Am I eligible?
What’s Covered
Make sure you understand any financial obligations and out-of-pocket costs. Although the study drug is often covered, your insurance company may not cover doctor visits, testing, and/or other expenses associated with a clinical trial. It’s important to understand what’s covered, methods to cover some of these additional costs, and how this differs from other treatment options available to you.
Confirm That You Are Eligible.
All clinical trials have guidelines on who is able to participate in the study, called eligibility criteria. These factors may include age, gender, type and stage of cancer, treatment history, and/or any other conditions you may have.
Clinical Trials Are Completely Voluntary.
You always have the right to drop out of a clinical trial at any time. If you decide to leave a clinical trial, talk to your doctor. They can provide you with information on how quitting the study may affect your health, and help you evaluate other treatment options available.
We’ve curated additional resources to help you access important
information about clinical trials. You can access general cancer
information, as well as information that is specific to the cancer you are
interested in. To get started, click on Where Do I Start? And then select
your cancer type and clinical trials.
A clinical trial is a research study that’s designed to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose and/or treat cancer. Cancer treatments that are available today are a result of clinical trials and patients who were willing to help science find new and better ways to treat a disease. Clinical trials are an important care option that you should discuss with your healthcare team. We’ve curated FAQs, as well as “Questions to Ask My Healthcare Team” to help guide your discussions.
Clinical trials are research studies that compare the standard of care, which are the most effective known treatment available, with a new approach. There are clinical trials for all types and stages of cancer from prevention through long-term survivorship.
There are many kinds of clinical trials and a few examples include:
To ensure a clinical trial is safe and effective, researchers conduct clinical trials in different phases. Each phase is designed to answer a separate question.
Phase I trials determine the optimal safe dose of a treatment.
Phase II trials measure safety and effectiveness, providing an early assessment of whether the treatment works and what side effects are.
Phase III trials compare the new treatment to current standard of care to see which works better, while also comparing side effects.
Phase IV trials assess long-term safety and effectiveness in large, diverse populations.
Tests the safety
Tests the safety and effectiveness
Compares the new treatment to current standard of care
Gathers additional information about long-term use
There are certain requirements for each trial to help make them as safe as possible and ensure that researchers get the most accurate results. Inclusion criteria are the conditions a person must meet to join a clinical trial, such as cancer type, stage, age, sex and/or current treatment plan. Exclusion criteria are the conditions that prevent a person from joining a clinical trial, such as previous treatment, pregnancy, etc.
A randomized clinical trial is a study in which people are assigned by chance to separate groups to compare different cancer treatments. Neither you nor the researchers choose which group you are assigned to. Patients are assigned to either the standard treatment group (control group) or investigational treatment arm. Randomization is one method used to prevent bias in cancer research.
Ask, Learn, and Evaluate Your Options.
Before signing up for a clinical trial, it’s important you understand what treatment is offered and how this differs from the standard treatment available for your cancer. Find out about any side effects of the study. Talk to a social worker for emotional support. Ask questions that can help you determine which option is best for you and your lifestyle. A list of recommended questions to ask can be found at the end of this section.
What’s Covered
Make sure you understand any financial obligations and out-of-pocket costs. Although the study drug is often covered, your insurance company may not cover doctor visits, testing, and/or other expenses associated with a clinical trial. It’s important to understand what’s covered, methods to cover some of these additional costs, and how this differs from other treatment options available to you.
Confirm That You Are Eligible.
All clinical trials have guidelines on who is able to participate in the study, called eligibility criteria. These factors may include age, gender, type and stage of cancer, treatment history, and/or any other conditions you may have.
Understand Your Rights and Protections.
People who enroll in clinical trials have rights and
protections to ensure their privacy and well-being
are maintained. One of the most important protections
is called informed consent, which ensures you understand
all aspects of the clinical trial, any potential risks and
benefits, as well as any financial obligations. You will
be asked to sign a HIPAA authorization form, which
allows your healthcare team to use and share
your health information as part of the study
information without sharing your name
or other personal details.
Clinical Trials Are Completely Voluntary.
You always have the right to drop out of a clinical trial at any time. If you decide to leave a clinical trial, talk to your doctor. They can provide you with information on how quitting the study may affect your health, and help you evaluate other treatment options available.
How do I find
a clinical trial?
We’ve curated additional resources to help you access important
information about clinical trials. You can access general cancer
information, as well as information that is specific to the cancer you are
interested in. To get started, click on Where Do I Start? And then select
your cancer type and clinical trials.
