You also may have blood tests, chest x-rays, bone scans, or other tests. If you find any unusual changes in your treated area or in your other breast, or if you have swollen lymph glands or bone pain, you should call your doctor as soon as possible. Each study is designed to answer a scientific question on how to prevent, detect, or treat cancer. These study participants receive the standard treatment so that their results can be compared with those of participants who receive the new treatment. During the trial, you may not know in which group you have been placed.
Clinical trials take time.
Until a trial is over, the true value of the new treatment will not be known. There may also be unknown side effects. If you are thinking about joining a clinical trial , you will receive written material that will help you decide whether to join. You can quit the trial at any time. Download a list of definitions here .