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Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
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Clinical trials, sometimes called research protocols, are studies that evaluate the effectiveness of new interventions. There are different types of cancer clinical trials. They include:
- Prevention trials designed to keep cancer from developing in people who have not previously had cancer;
- Prevention trials designed to prevent a new type of cancer from developing in people who have had cancer;
- Early detection trials to find cancer, especially in its early stages;
- Treatment trials to test new therapies in people who have cancer or to compare new, promising treatment to standard established treatment;
- Quality-of-life studies to improve comfort and quality of life for people who have cancer;
- Studies to evaluate ways of modifying cancer-causing behaviors, such as tobacco use.
Depending on what is being studied, a particular clinical trial may involve patients with cancer or people who do not have cancer but are at higher risk than most people of developing it. If you take part in a clinical trial, you may benefit from a new drug, procedure, or symptom-control method while helping scientists evaluate its effectiveness. Your participation may also contribute directly to finding better ways to prevent, detect, or treat the disease. Many of today's most effective interventions are the direct result of knowledge gained through clinical trials.