What is a Clinical Trial?

Clinical trials are designed to answer specific questions and to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illness.

Cancer clinical trials often compare the most accepted cancer treatment (standard treatment) with a new treatment that doctors hope will be better.

What doctors learn in these trials will help people with cancer – now and in the future.

Each trial is a partnership involving a patient, a physician, the research staff, a medical organization and a government agency or private company that sponsors the research.

A doctor, research nurse and clinical research associate trained in clinical research, carefully monitor each patient on an individual basis. This monitoring is a vital part of the research process and provides the patient with a high quality experience.

Clinical trials are closely monitored, regulated, and offer an opportunity for patients to take an active role in their health care.

By participating, patients have an opportunity to make a difference in both their own lives and future generations.