Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology
Clinical trials are research trials involving patients, carried out to find new or better treatments. Not all clinical trials involve using medicines, some look at other forms of treatment or how they affect people's daily lives.
This article was first published in February 2009.
Trials are the only way of finding out if one method of treating cancer is better than another.
The aims of the treatments being tested may be to:
There are many clinical trials cancer patients can take part in, and they'll be offered one if there is something suitable available. Randomised trials generally compare a new treatment to the current standard treatment. Patients are allocated to the standard treatment or new treatment by a computer, so no one can influence which treatment a patient receives. This makes sure each group in a trial is evenly matched, with patients from each sex and age group so the results from each group can be compared accurately.
Patients do not have to take part in clinical trials and have the right to say no without giving a reason. For some, taking part in a clinical trial is too much to cope with at an already stressful time, while others feel it's a positive step. Even if a patient decides to take part in a clinical trial, they can decide to stop taking part at any time, and this will not affect their future treatment. Some patients may wish to take part in a trial which their doctor is not involved in and in this situation they will be referred to another doctor.
If offered a clinical trial, patients should ask the doctor or trials nurse:
Patients offered a clinical trial will be given contact numbers for the doctors and nurses involved and should contact them if they are unsure or have further questions.
More information on cancer trials is available from Cancer Research UK.
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