Learn About Pr

Clinic

“I decided to participate in a clinic

help myself and my commun

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

National Cancer Institute 
• Help doctors learn more about preventing 

This brochure tells you about taking part in a 

may help find ways to prevent cancer. 

A prevention trial is a research study. 

A cancer prevention trial is a study of a large 

people. A prevention trial tries to find better 

prevent people from getting cancer or lower t

that people will get it. 

A prevention trial is different from a tre

A treatment trial finds better ways to treat ca

who already have it. 

“After my mo

from breast ca

wanted to do 

could to keep 

getting cancer

1 
• They are healthy people. 

• They are people who want to lower their ch

getting a certain cancer. 

Each study has different rules about who can 

For example: 

• One study may have people of a certain age 

• One study may have people with a certain 

There are prevention studies for men and wo

ages and backgrounds. You may know someo

relative, neighbor, or co-worker—in a study n
• Exercise 

• Follow a special diet. 

In most studies, people are asked to take som

to lower cancer risk. For example: 

• Take a medicine 

• Take a vitamin. 

When people are asked to take someth

it may be: 

• The standard agent: A medicine or vitam

already used to prevent a certain cancer 

• The study agent: A new medicine or vitam

doctors hope will be better than what is alr

prevent a certain cancer 

• The placebo: A pill that has no medicine 

doctors figure out whether or not the study 

works to prevent cancer. 

3 
Each person has the same chance of being p

any of the groups. 

• No one can pick the group he or she is in. 

• No one knows which group he or she is 

in—not even the doctors. 

• This keeps the study fair, honest, and accur

Along the way, researchers will compare the 

find out if there were any differences. Then 

able to tell us which medicine or vitamin wo

prevent cancer. When researchers can tell wh

the study is over. If it is found to be unsafe, 

be stopped right away. 
Before you join a study, a doctor, nurse, or an

who works on the study will tell you many th

• Why the study is being done 

• What will happen during the study 

• What side effects you may have 

• How the study may affect your daily life. 

They will give you information in writing. 

They will give you a consent form that tells y

study. If you decide to take part in the study

asked to sign the consent form. This means 

understand the benefits and risks and you ch

You can and should ask questions. 

You should ask questions about anything you 

understand. 

You can change your mind and drop out. 

Even if you sign the consent form, you can st

your mind and stop at any time. Dropping o

will not affect your health care in the future. 

5 
• One of the most important groups is called 

institutional review board (IRB). 

• The IRB’s job is to review research studies 

they are run safely and fairly. 

• The IRB includes doctors, nurses, clergy, an

from the community. 

• Researchers may collect a lot of information 

But it will be kept as private and confident

“I used to think that 

people in medical 

studies were just 

‘guinea pigs.’ But I 

found out it wasn’t 

like that. I felt that 

my rights were 

protected.” 
• You will see a health care provider during t

you should still see your own doctor for ro

care. 

• You take an active role in your own future 

• You may lower your chance of getting canc

• You will have the chance to help your child

others who may get cancer in the future. 

Risks 

• The medicines or vitamins you take may h

effects. 

• The medicines or vitamins you take may n

well as proven ways to lower your chances o

cancer. 

• You may not lower your chances of getting 

Costs and Time 

• Research studies have costs. 	And health in

not always pay for all your costs in a study. 

doctor, nurse, or social worker about these 

you decide to join. 

• The study may take some of your time. 

7 
• Then, think about why you may want to ta

that study. Weigh this against why you ma

join. 

• Be aware that choosing to take part in a ca

prevention trial is just one way you can tak

health. 

• Talk with your family, friends, and doctor. 

the one who should be happy with your fin

“I felt like what I was 

doing could make a 

difference in 

someone’s life 

someday.” 
• Is there a prevention study that I can partic

• Why is the study being done? 

• What is the difference between the two gro

study? 

• How long will the study last? 

• How will I be told about the study results? 

About Benefits and Risks 

• How can this study help me? 

• What are the side effects of the medicines o

being used in the study? 

About Protecting Your Rights 

• How do I know this study is safe? 

• How will my health be checked during the 

• How will my health information be kept p

About Deciding To Take Part 

• What will I have to do if I take part? 

• How could the study change what I do eve

• Where will I have my medical exams? 

• Will I be able to see my own doctor? 

• What will I have to pay for if I take part in 

• Will I be able to find out about the results? 

9 
• To find out more about cancer prevention 

in your area, ask your doctor. 

or call: 

National Cancer Institute
 

Cancer Information Service
 

1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
 

TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-332-8615
 

or visit: 

the Web at: www.cancer.gov 

“I wanted to help myself 

and other people, and 

this study was right for 

me.” 
NIH Publication No. 04-5521
 

Printed May 2004