Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. They are the final step in a long process that begins with research in a lab and animal testing. New treatments must be proven safe and effective with a certain number of patients before they can be made widely available. All treatments used today are the result of past clinical trials.
A cancer clinical trial is designed to show how a particular anticancer strategy attacks the cancer, affects people who receive it, and improves survival rates. Participants receive high-quality cancer care and will be among the first to benefit if a new approach is successful. Through informed consent, patients learn about a study's treatments and tests, and possible benefits and risks, before deciding to participate.
Learn more in this National Cancer Institute video, Participating In Cancer Clinical Trials:
Part 1 - What You Need To Know