Page 52 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook

Considering
Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are scientific studies. They test treatments that are in development. Trials also study other
ways of using current treatments. Look into whether a clinical trial could be right for you. Discuss this
option with your health care provider as you work together to develop your cancer treatment plan.

“I had complete confidence that I could potentially be helped —BARBARA H.
by the trial that was proposed for me. No medical institution or
government body wants anybody to be harmed by a trial.”

Participation in clinical trials isn’t supposed to hap- to study groups. This helps avoid biases or preferences
pen only when there aren’t any other options. Keep that can exist in human choices and beliefs. Biases can
in mind that you can look into whether you can par- weaken study results.
ticipate in a clinical trial at any time during the can-
cer treatment process. In some cases, it may not be Clinical trial treatments can be given in a health care
possible to discontinue a current treatment to start a provider’s office, clinic, cancer center or hospital. These
clinical trial treatment. studies occur in steps or phases. A patient might par-
ticipate in more than one clinical trial during his or her
Each clinical trial studies a certain type and stage cancer treatment—but only one phase at a time.
of cancer. The purpose is to learn how well a treat-
ment method works. The study compares the trial The National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov/clinical
method to the current standard or most commonly trials) generally defines the phases of clinical trials as:
used treatment. Physicians and researchers monitor
patients closely. Phase I: A treatment method is tested for the
first time in humans with a very small group of
Clinical trials may study: people during the first phase. The study looks
• Medications at treatment safety only. This may include
• Vaccines information about safe dosage and side effects.
• Surgical methods There can be no guarantee that this method or
• Radiation therapy treatments medication will be effective at getting rid of a
• Ways of combining treatments particular cancer.

Each study has its own criteria about who can Phase II: The second phase builds on the infor-
participate. These may include specific ages, medi- mation gained from the first phase of the study.
cal history, past treatments or current health status. The treatment method is used with a larger
group of people. Studies further evaluate safety
Patients must always give their permission to be and effectiveness. For example, after defining
involved in clinical trials. Clinical trials for cancer treat- the safe dose of a medication, a study might
ment provide at least the standard of care. Treatment then determine if the treatment is also effective
clinical trials are designed to seek better treatment or with other types of cancer.
compare ways to prevent or detect cancer.
Phase III: Treatment is given to large groups of
Participants in clinical trials are randomly assigned people in this phase. Studies further evaluate
to study groups. This means that a computer program
or a table of random numbers is used to assign patients

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