New and better treatments for cancer will be discovered only through the continued support of patients who participate in clinical trials. Patients who qualify for a clinical trial decide, with the advice of their physician, whether to participate in the study. How a treatment will work for a patient in a trial cannot be known ahead of time. Therefore, the patient should be aware of both the risks and benefits of clinical trials before making a decision. You will never be placed on a clinical trial without your knowledge or permission.
All qualified patients involved in clinical trials sign consent forms before the study begins.
Before a new treatment is tried with patients, it is carefully studied for several years in the laboratory and tested for safety. This research points out the new methods most likely to succeed and, as much as possible, shows how to use them safely and effectively. One of the committees at Vanderbilt also includes non-physicians to ensure that patients are represented and that their rights are fully considered in each trial situation. Although there is always a chance that a new treatment will be disappointing, the researchers and physicians who approve a study have reason to believe that it will be as good as, or better than, current treatments. If you qualify, we hope that you and your family will consider participating in this worthwhile endeavor.