Finding out about current trials

If you would like to take part in a clinical trial but have not been asked, you can tell the doctors or nurses who are treating you. They may know of a trial that would be suitable for you that is being run locally or from a larger hospital. However, some hospitals do not have the facilities or expertise to take part in some trials, so it may mean that, if you are able to take part in a research study, you will have to travel to a different hospital. If you have been invited to take part in a clinical trial you may be introduced to a research nurse who can tell you all about the trial and will be able to answer your questions.

Clinical trials always have criteria which describe the patients who can take part in the study. Criteria often include:

• your age
• the stage of the cancer (where it is in the body and whether it has spread)
• whether you have had previous treatment
• blood test or scan results
• physical fitness
• whether you have other medical conditions.

It is important to remember that there may not be a trial which is suitable for you.

Before you go into a trial you will probably have to have various tests, to check that having the trial treatment will not harm you.

CancerBACUP can give you information about current trials. We aim to give accurate information about the trials currently available, and can search on several reliable databases, both in the UK and abroad. You can search for suitable trials on CancerBACUP’s website.

Sometimes there may be a suitable trial in a hospital a long way away from where you live. In this situation, your doctor would have to contact the hospital running the trial to give staff your details and refer you if appropriate. You may need to travel frequently to the hospital for blood tests and to check for any side effects. You may have to do this weekly, so do remember to ask your doctor or nurse about how much time you would need to take part in the trial and do think about whether you would be able to do all the travelling that would be needed.