These women didn't know if one treatment was more or less effective than the other, but agreed to help answer the question of which was the optimal therapy. The difference in each treatment regime in trials today involves the sequencing of different therapies or the addition of a new drug. T here are many opportunities to participate in clinical research trials in which you would receive state of the art care. In order to participate, you must be willing to be randomized to a treatment group. You would be asked to sign very detailed informed consent forms that explain the research objectives and the risks and benefits involved.
T here are also studies called pilot studies.
These are done in a center that is running clinical research that is not NCI sponsored. And is not randomized. They are often underwritten by pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurial companies, or conducted at a university. There are safeguards in place in pilot studies to protect participating women as much as possible. These protocols are usually only for women with advanced disease who may be willing to place themselves at risk because of limited alternatives available to them at that late stage.