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Clinical trials are a type of research study carried out and monitored to make sure a new treatment is safe and effective. Cancer treatment trials test or evaluate new drugs, including chemotherapy and other types of drugs, different ways of performing surgery or radiation therapy or combinations of these treatments. These trials usually compare new cancer treatments with ones that already exist.
Possible risks and benefits of being in a clinical trial
Possible benefits:
- Clinical trials offer quality cancer care. It is possible that you might not receive the new treatment being tested. However, you can be assured that you will receive the best standard cancer treatment available.
- In learning about clinical research and joining a clinical trial, you will be taking an active role in a decision that affects your life. This can be personally empowering.
- You may benefit from extra follow-up care provided for participants.
- You have a chance to help others and to improve the treatment of cancer.
Possible risks:
- New treatments under study are not always better than, or as good as, the standard ones.
- There may be unexpected side effects that may be worse than those caused by standard treatments.
- Being in a clinical trial may take extra time or be inconvenient. You may be required to have more tests or take extra medicines.
Informed Consent:
You have the right to be given all the facts about a clinical trial before deciding to
take part, this is an important process called informed consent. You will receive a printed consent form that outlines the key facts about the study. These include details about the treatments, tests and any potential benefits, risks or side effects. If you agree to take part in the study, you will be asked to sign the informed consent form.
Your participation in a clinical trial is voluntary. You may choose to leave the trial at any time. If you leave the trial, you will continue to receive the best treatment possible.
For more information on Clinical Trials please click on the link below.
Clinical Trials at PMH....What You Need to Know
Click here for more general information about Clinical Trials from the Canadian Cancer Society, also available in print at the PMH Patient and Family Library.
