Clinical Trials
What are Clinical Trials?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the nation’s medical research agency, clinical trials are defined as a part of clinical research where physicians and scientists look at new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. Clinical trials can study:
- New drugs or new combinations of drugs
- New ways of doing surgery
- New medical devices
- New ways to use existing treatments
- New ways to change behaviors to improve health
- New ways to improve the quality of life for people with acute or chronic illnesses.
The goal of clinical trials is to determine if these treatment, prevention and behavior approaches are safe and effective.
Why participate in a Clinial Trial?
Many times, when patients and family members think of clinical trials, they view them as the last option or the last step for treatment. At Infirmary Cancer Care, we educate patients on the different types of clincial trials and that trials may be possible at the time of diagnosis.
Every discovery and treatment given in a clinical trial is paying it forward. Physicians and scientists are able to offer clinical trials because there have been patients in the past who entered into a study to find a better step towards a cure.
Frequently Asked Questions
This NIH booklet is for people with cancer who are thinking about joining a clinical trial. It explains how clinical trials take place, how your rights are protected, how to find a clinical trial and more.
If you have any questions about clinical trials, please contact Infirmary Cancer Care Manager of Research, Wendy Blount at 251-435-5931 or wendy.blount@infirmaryhealth.org.
