What are Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. These studies occur after laboratory and animal testing has been completed. They are the only way new cancer treatments can be tested for efficacy and safety before being made available to the public. Each study tries to answer specific scientific questions and find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer.
Clinical trials contribute to our knowledge and progress about treating cancer. Today’s standard treatments are based mainly on the results of previous clinical trials. Because of the progress that has been made, many people with cancer now live longer and continue to have productive lives. In addition to improved survival rates, clinical trials have contributed to:
The more people involved in clinical trials, the faster we can answer critical research questions that will lead to better treatments.
A protocol is the action plan of a clinical trial. It specifically describes the purpose of the study, defines the size of the study and the number of participants, and describes the treatment plan and data collection. A protocol also ensures the following: