Each person with a diagnosis of cancer should have the opportunity to consider whether or not a clinical trial is right for her or him. The decision-making process usually begins with two key pieces of information:
- The complete diagnosis, including the full medical name and stage, or extent, of the cancer.
- An honest assessment of prognosis, or likelihood of disease-free survival, with standard therapy.
Enrollment in clinical trials is always voluntary and is usually most opportune at the time of an individual's initial diagnosis, before the start of treatment. As a result, any participant can leave a clinical trial at any time. Before enrolling, study investigators are required to provide trial participants with all the information about the study being conducted and its possible effects. This ongoing educational dialogue between patient and doctor is known as informed consent.
Because clinical trials are designed and used to address unanswered questions, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not an individual cancer patient should participate in a clinical trial. The decision is a personal one, which should be made with the close consultation of your physician.
Cancer Information Service
The Cancer Information Service (1-800-4CANCER) is a good first stop for newly diagnosed patients seeking timely information about clinical trials and standard treatments alike. Trained CIS staff can prepare a customized report with detailed information about current NCI-sponsored clinical trials for your type of cancer. Because the CIS is a publicly funded service, the research is provided completely free of charge.
