They share their knowledge from many specialties about cancer treatment and care. Patients in these studies receive the benefit of their expertise. At cancer centers, patients receive care from a special research team. Through new programs, community hospitals and doctors are also coming more and more into the research network. The treatments used in clinical trials can cause side effects and other health risks depending on the type of treatment and the patient's condition.
Side effects vary from patient to patient.
Because clinical trials are research into new areas of treatment, the risks involved are not always known ahead of time, though efforts have been made to find out what they might be. For this reason, trials can carry unknown dangers and side effects as well as hoped-for benefits. Your doctor or nurse will tell you about the treatments being tested and will give you a form to read that discusses the risks and hoped-for benefits. If you agree to take part, you will be asked to sign a form, called the informed consent form. Before you sign, be sure you understand what risks you face.