Understanding Your Cancer Treatment Options: Why Participate in a Clinical Trial?

Clinical trials for cancer treatments are studies that aim to find out whether new medical treatments are safe and more effective than current treatments.

Clinical trials may be testing a new medication, a surgical procedure, or even a medical device in order to see how they help treat cancer.

What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?

One of the biggest reasons why you may want to participate in a clinical trial is that you get to access the latest in cancer treatments.

“One of the benefits of participating in a clinical trial is to have access to that novel drug that’s currently being developed based on the latest, cutting-edge research, but that [is] not currently available to everyone,” explains June Y. Hou, MD, Gynecologic Oncologist at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.

Another good reason for participating in a clinical trial is that you will be closely monitored by researchers, possibly even more so than you would be normally.

“Sometimes that extra layer of attention and care can make [you] feel reassured,” says Hou.

Finally, a great reason to participate in a clinical trial is that you are helping advance medical research that will help others in the future.

What are the risks of participating in clinical trials?

Of course, you may have questions about the clinical trial, including whether treatments are safe or whether they’re more effective than what’s available now.

Hou says that there is no guarantee against risk, but that clinical trials are closely monitored, and side effects should be caught and treated early.

One other concern you may have is the cost of participating in a clinical trial. While the treatment being studied is usually covered by those carrying out the trial, you may have to pay for travel, lodging, or other related costs.

That’s why you should talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have related to participating in the clinical trial.