Clinical trials

You may be able to access additional options for treatment by participating in a clinical trial. On this page, you can learn more about the types and phases of clinical trials, and how to find available clinical trials.

• What are clinical trials?
• Types of clinical trials
• Finding clinical trials

What are clinical trials?

A clinical trial, also known as a research study, is used to answer specific questions about a potential new type of treatment or to study new ways of using an existing treatment. The purpose of a clinical trial is to determine whether a treatment is safe in humans and effective in treating a particular disease or condition. This includes looking at the benefits, as well as the potential risks, of the treatment. Generally, clinical trials for cancer compare the standard treatment with a potential new treatment option. However, there may be some trials that compare the potential new treatment option with a placebo. A placebo contains no medicine and is sometimes called a sugar pill. Depending on the clinical trial, you could receive the potential new treatment, a standard treatment, or a placebo.

If you decide to participate in a breast cancer clinical trial, your health will be closely monitored, and you will be evaluated for any side effects you may experience from therapy. Participation in a trial may require more of your time because it could include several trips to the doctor's office or hospital, more tests, procedures, or hospital stays. You may be one of the first to receive a new treatment and you will gain the personal satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the advancement of cancer research.

You may want to discuss participation in a clinical trial with your physician so that you know all available options. Your doctor can help you determine if a clinical trial is right for you.

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Types of clinical trials

There are several types of clinical trials:

• Treatment trials test potential new treatments like a new cancer drug, new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, new combinations of treatments, or new methods such as gene therapy.
• Prevention trials test lifestyle changes and medications that doctors believe may lower the risk of getting a certain type of cancer.
• Screening trials test the best way to find cancer, especially in its early stages.
• Quality of Life trials, also called Supportive Care trials, explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients.

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Finding clinical trials

The following Web sites may provide you with further information about clinical trials:

• www.cancer.gov/clinical_trials
  The Clinical Trials section of the National Cancer Institute Web site allows patients to search for clinical trials information.
• www.clinicaltrials.gov/
  Clinical Trials.gov is a service of The National Institutes of Health (a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services) developed by the National Library of Medicine that provides patients with regular updates about clinical trials, clinical trial locations, and eligibility for participation.
• www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/cat29.html
  CenterWatch provides patients with information and educational materials about the clinical research industry.
• www.clinicaltrials.com
  ClinicalTrials.com helps patients find clinical trials in the United States and Canada while also providing lists of local and national organizations associated with specific illnesses.
• www.emergingmed.com/
  EmergingMed.com is a free and confidential online service that helps match patients to clinical trials.

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