Risks and benefits of being in the trial

Clinical trials are carefully designed to reduce the risks and increase the benefits to all people who take part, regardless of which treatment they get. Like any other medical treatment, chemotherapy has benefits and risks. The main benefits and risks are listed below.

Possible benefits

Chemotherapy may:

• Help you live longer.
• Give a longer time before the tumour causes symptoms.
• Lead to fewer symptoms, giving an improved quality of life.
• Mean that you get the best care: people taking part in the FOCUS trial will be treated at specialist centres. You will be looked after by doctors and nurses who have experience in treating patients as part of trials and have treated lots of people with colorectal cancer.

Possible risks

• The cancer may not be controlled by the chemotherapy.
• There may be some unpleasant side effects.
• There may be a risk of damage to other organs in the body (such as the kidneys, liver or heart) which may harm your general health.
• There is an increased risk of infections, which may need hospital treatment. 
• Occasionally, side effects such as severe infection may affect the length of your life.