DISEASE INFORMATION | Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies conducted with individuals who volunteer to take part. Each study answers scientific questions and tries to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a disease. These trials are carefully monitored and evaluated to test the safety and efficacy of a particular therapy or treatment regimen. A clinical trial is one of the final stages of the research process and is conducted in four trial phases. Studies are done with cancer patients to find out whether promising approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are safe and effective.

People that are unfamiliar with cancer clinical trials tend to believe that a placebo (or non-active drug) is sometimes administered in the control group. However, this is a myth - in all cancer trials, the new treatment being tested is always evaluated against the current "standard of care," or best treatment currently available - so all cancer patients in a clinical trial are assured of receiving an active drug.

There are several types of clinical trials:
Treatment trials test new treatments like a new cancer drug, new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, new combinations of treatments, or new methods such as gene therapy.
Prevention trials test lifestyle changes and medications that doctors believe may lower the risk of getting a certain type of cancer.
Screening trials test the best way to find cancer, especially in its early stages.
Quality of Life trials, also called Supportive Care trials, explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients.

Clinical trials are usually classified into one of four phases:
Phase I trials evaluate how a new drug should be given, how often, and what dose is safe. Enrollment usually consists of a small number of patients, sometimes as few as a dozen.
Phase II trials continue to test the safety of the drug and begin to evaluate how well the new drug works and usually focus on a particular type of cancer.
Phase III trials test a new drug, a new combination of drugs, or a new surgical procedure in comparison to the current standard. These trials often enroll large numbers of people and may be conducted nationwide.
Phase IV trials test a drug that is already marketed and available for possible new uses. They also test new dosages and ways of administering the drug.

Clinical Trial Links
To learn more about clinical trials that may be available in your local community please link to one of these sites for more information.

10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
  1. Are you aware of any clinical trials for breast cancer taking place in my area that I might be eligible for? If so, what are they?
  2. How can I determine whether I am eligible for a specific trial?
  3. What are the possible short and long-term benefits/risks of participation?
  4. Are clinical trials a good option for my stage/type of breast cancer?
  5. Will I have to travel a far distance to the trial center and if so, are there resources available to assist with transportation?
  6. Will I still have access to my standard health care team while I am enrolled in this trial?
  7. What other treatment options are there for my stage/type of breast cancer?
  8. Will this treatment hurt or cause any severe side effects?
  9. Will my insurance cover some/all of the potential costs for participation in the trial?
  10. Can I terminate my participation in this trial if I feel that it is not right for me after I have begun receiving treatment?

Recipes for Breast Cancer Patients! Designed for cancer patients and their families, these easy-to-follow recipes focus on foods best tolerated and those to ease the symptoms during treatment.
May 2008 - Neutropenia
Courtesy of Holly Clegg, co-author of "Eating Well Through Cancer," and NBCAM.
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