For others there is the powerful knowledge that their participation will benefit generations to come. If you are a cancer patient, or at high risk for developing cancer, learning all you can about clinical trials is the first step to making an informed decision about whether you should participate. This page will introduce you to clinical trials, in general, and to the Clinical Research Program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University. We encourage you to talk to your family, friends and doctor to help weigh the benefits and risks of the particular trial, and then make your decision.
Clinical trials evaluate new treatments and procedures in cancer prevention, detection and care.
They contribute to our understanding of how cancer works and pave the way toward new treatments that can lead to longer life and improved quality of life. Clinical trials are teaching us how to detect cancer earlier and what we can do to prevent cancer from ever occurring. Clinical research generally proceeds in a series of steps or phases. Based on laboratory findings, current treatment method and previous trials, scientists formulate questions they would like to have answered. Then, a clinical study is carefully designed to provide answers.