Potential Benefits to Clinical Trial Participation

Medical research finds ways to help people live longer, improve their quality of life and manage or cure disease. This is possible because of the people who volunteer to participate in clinical trials. At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we strive to provide the most advanced care possible. In addition to standard care and treatments, we perform studies to help find better ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating various types of cancer.

Clinical trials are an opportunity to be at the forefront of leading-edge therapies. They give patients an opportunity to receive treatments before they are approved. All standard treatments used today were once part of a clinical trial. – Vinay Raja, MD
Oncologist

Understanding Clinical Trials: A Guide for Participants

Curious about clinical trials? This video breaks down the different types of trials and how they can benefit participants. It serves as a visual guide, offering a straightforward overview for those considering joining a clinical trial, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Benefits and drawbacks

Participating in a clinical trial has risks and benefits. It is important to be well-informed and carefully consider the pros and cons before participating.

Benefits may include:

Access to new approaches to cancer treatment not available elsewhere.
Newer cancer treatments and additional treatment options that incorporate the latest advances with your current standard of care.
Enhanced monitoring by doctors and nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Getting to take an active role in your care.
Contributing to medical research.

Potential drawbacks to clinical trial participation may include:

You may have additional side effects from the study related therapy; the treatment may not work for your type of cancer.
You may be required to visit the doctor more often than you would with standard treatment.
You may have more blood drawn for laboratory tests.
Some health insurance plans may not cover all care costs involved. Before you join a study, our research finance team reaches out to your insurance to provide you with coverage information before you decide to join a clinical trial.

Safety monitoring

All clinical trials are guided by strict rules that are monitored by the federal Office for Human Research Protections and the Food and Drug Administration. Before it can begin, each clinical trial is approved by an institutional review board (IRB) composed of medical professionals and community members who review every study to make sure that it is conducted safely and ethically. They review all study materials to make sure they are written in a way that patients can understand. As your advocate, the IRB will only approve research that tries to answer medically important questions in a scientific and responsible way.

Who can participate?

Each clinical trial has its own eligibility requirements, which is a list of criteria that says who can and cannot participate in the trial. Criteria may include factors such as your age, gender, type and stage of disease, previous treatment history and other medical conditions. Eligibility criteria are designed to maximize patient safety and answer specific treatment questions about a specific type of cancer.

How care is provided

Care for patients in clinical trials is provided in the same way standard treatment is provided. Your physicians, nurses and other professionals will care for you, keep you informed about your treatment and measure your progress. To ensure reliable results, it’s important for you to follow your care team’s instructions.

Informed consent

Participation in clinical research is voluntary. Before you join a clinical trial, a member of the research team will meet with you to review eligibility, risks, benefits and details of care and treatment.

You will receive a consent form that explains the study. Before signing the form, carefully read it, ask questions and make sure you understand it. You are free at any time to change your mind and withdraw from the study. If you choose to withdraw from the study for any reason, our team at KUCC will continue to take care of you for standard of care treatment.

Questions and misconceptions about clinical trials

Care for patients in a clinical trial is provided in the same way standard treatment is provided. Our physicians, nurses and other health professionals provide care, keep patients informed about their treatment and measure their progress.

We are committed to providing safe, high-quality care, and we respect and value your role in making decisions about your healthcare. You are entitled to your rights, whether or not you participate in clinical trials.

Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary. You can withdraw from the trial at any time.

5 Things You May Not Know About Clinical Trials

What you should know about participating in a clinical trial.