Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are very important to cancer care. Trials are how we discover new and better treatments, ways to prevent side effects, and improve survival rates. A small percentage of adult cancer patients participate in a clinical trial. People might not know the facts about clinical trials, which could be why participation is often low.
Most clinical trial participants report that they were fully informed of the risks and benefits, felt they were treated with respect and dignity, had a positive experience, and would recommend a trial to others. Many participants feel they receive extra attention and have more people they can ask for help who are involved in their care, such as nurses or study coordinators.
Does my insurance or the study sponsor pay for any tests I have to get for a clinical trial?
Federal law requires insurance companies to cover routine (standard) costs – things you would need regardless of the trial, for example, regular blood and radiology tests. If the study sponsor requires extra testing, this might not be covered by insurance but is often covered by the study sponsor. For example, if the pharmaceutical company is concerned about liver damage caused by the study medication, they may request extra blood tests or scans. These do not have to be covered by insurance, but will typically be paid for by the pharmaceutical company or study sponsor.
Some insurance plans will cover study costs. Talk to the study nurse/coordinator to review any out-of-pocket costs.
Will I get a placebo?
A placebo (sugar pill or something that has no effect on the cancer) is very rarely used in cancer clinical trials. The only time this might happen is when there is no other treatment available, so a study may compare a new medication to a placebo. This would be clearly stated in the consent form that you must review and sign before starting a trial. So, you would never be in a study and not know it included a placebo.
Do I need to be a certain age or have a certain type of cancer to participate in a clinical trial?
Some clinical trials have a range of ages that participants must be in. People over age 65 are underrepresented in clinical trials (meaning there are not enough who participate). There are clinical trials available for many cancer types. It is important for all ages to be represented in clinical trials so that we can better understand how to best treat people of all ages.
Should clinical trials be used only after other treatments have been tried?
Clinical trials can be used at any time during cancer care. There are studies in every stage of cancer and even studies for cancer prevention. Clinical trials can allow access to new therapies that are not available otherwise.
Do I have to take part in the clinical trial once I enroll?
You are in control. If you decide you do not want to participate in the trial anymore, you can withdraw (leave the study) at any time.
Do I have to go to a certain healthcare center to participate in a clinical trial?
Many cancer centers offer clinical trials, even if the cancer center is small. In some cases, if a particular trial is only available at a big center, you can continue to see your local cancer care team for regular care and visit the study center just as needed for the trial.
Keep in mind your insurance provider network. If your insurance does not allow for out-of-network providers, they do not have to pay for clinical trial care at an out-of-network provider. Talk with someone at your insurance carrier about coverage when looking into other providers and cancer centers.
How do I find a clinical trial?
You can use the OncoLink Clinical Trials Matching Service to find studies in your area relevant to your case. Resources for More Information: Clinical Trials provides more links for more information about clinical trials.