Clinical Trials Should I Participate?

Only you can make the ultimate decision about whether to participate in a clinical trial. Before you make your decision, you should:

  1. Learn as much as possible about your disease. See the National Cancer Institute’s A to Z List of Cancers for cancer information or see the Cancer Types section of this Web site for more disease-specific resources. 
  2. Learn as much as possible about trials that are available to you. You can view the current clinical trials at the IU Simon Cancer Center or view a comprehensive list of trials available throughout the United States at NCI's Search for Clinical Trials to find current clinical trials that might be appropriate for you.
  3. All clinical trials have both benefits and risks to the patient. Ask your doctor about these benefits and risks and the steps taken to protect the people who participate in the trials.
  4. Then talk about this information and how you feel about it with your doctor and/or nurse, family members and friends to help you determine what is right for you.

More information:

Should I Take Part in a Clinical Trial? (National Cancer Institute)

Participating in a Trial: Questions to Ask Your Doctor (National Cancer Institute)

Protecting Participants in Clinical Trials (National Cancer Institute)