By Blood Cancer United
Table of contents
- Introduction
- What is a clinical trial?
- Why do people participate in clinical trials?
- Who can join a clinical trial?
- Are clinical trials safe?
- How do I find a clinical trial for blood cancer?
- How can Blood Cancer United help?
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase clinical trial?
New, untested medicines? Miracle cures? Experiments that anyone can join?
Clinical trials can help researchers learn more about new treatments and improve care for patients. They can also provide patients with access to promising treatment options that may not otherwise be available.
And if you’re living with blood cancer, you may have questions.
Are they safe? Would I qualify? How would I know if a trial is right for me?
You’re not alone.
If you're exploring clinical trials and aren't sure where to start, Blood Cancer United's Clinical Trial Nurse Navigators can help explain your options and identify trials that may be right for your situation.
The more you understand about clinical trials, the easier it becomes to ask questions, weigh your options, and make decisions that are right for you.
What is a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are research studies that help determine if a treatment is safe and effective. Many clinical trials evaluate new medications. Some study new treatment approaches, combinations of existing treatments, or ways to improve quality of life for patients and caregivers.
Researchers compare new treatments to the current standard of care, which is the treatment experts currently recommend for a specific disease.
Some clinical trials are observational. Rather than testing a new treatment, researchers collect information to better understand a disease, its effects, or patient experiences.
Every treatment must go through clinical trials and be approved by the FDA before it can become part of the standard of care. The process can take time, but it ensures treatments are carefully studied before they become widely available.
When a trial is successful, it can lead to better treatment options, improved quality of life, and new hope for future patients.
Why do people participate in clinical trials?
One of the most common misconceptions about clinical trials is that they are only for people who have run out of treatment options.
In reality, people participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons.
Some patients may be interested in exploring a new treatment after previous treatments stopped working as hoped. Others may be newly diagnosed and eligible for a trial that is studying new potential treatments.
Plus, patients who participate in clinical trials are closely monitored by healthcare professionals and get additional support throughout the study.
Many people choose to participate because they want to help advance research.
Information is gathered during clinical trials that may improve treatment options and outcomes for future patients. Clinical trials are not right for everyone, but they can be an important option to discuss with your care team.
Who can join a clinical trial?
Every clinical trial has requirements for participation. These requirements help researchers understand how a treatment works for specific groups of patients.
These requirements are called “eligibility criteria.”
Common eligibility criteria can include:
- Age
- Blood cancer type
- Stage of diagnosis or disease
- Prior treatments
- Other health conditions
- Lab results
- No sign of infection
You may hear terms like inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria.
- Inclusion criteria are the characteristics a participant must have to join a clinical trial.
- Exclusion criteria are characteristics that prevent someone from joining a particular clinical trial.
Not qualifying for one clinical trial does not mean you won't qualify for another. Every study is different and has its own requirements.
Are clinical trials safe?
Yes!
It's understandable to feel cautious about participating in a clinical trial. Many wonder how researchers protect participants when new treatments are being studied.
Patient safety is a top priority throughout the clinical trial process.
Before enrolling, you'll go through a process called informed consent. The research team will explain the study, discuss potential risks and benefits, and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision.
The doctor in charge of a study—known as the principal investigator—will put together a study plan called a protocol. This outlines how the research will be conducted and how participants will be monitored.
Clinical trials are also reviewed by independent groups that help ensure participants are treated safely and ethically.
Eligibility requirements play an important role in safety as well. If researchers believe a treatment could pose an unnecessary risk to someone because of their health history or medical condition, that person may not be eligible for that particular study.
Participation in a clinical trial is always voluntary, and you can stop being part of one at any point in the process. If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial, you should discuss any concerns with your healthcare team before making a decision.
How do I find a clinical trial for blood cancer?
If you're considering a clinical trial, start by talking with your healthcare team. They can help you understand your treatment options and whether a clinical trial may be right for your situation.
It can also be helpful to talk with loved ones about travel arrangements, time commitments, financial concerns, and support during treatment.
If you decide to pursue a clinical trial—or if you’re just curious about what blood cancer clinical trials are out there—Blood Cancer United offers a free clinical trial search tool through our partnership with Carebox Connect.
Using the tool, you can search for clinical trials by diagnosis, city, or ZIP code. You'll find information about enrollment status, trial phase, eligibility requirements, and study locations.
Whether you're ready to explore a clinical trial or simply want to learn what's available, it's a helpful place to start.
How can Blood Cancer United help?
Learning about clinical trials can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already navigating a blood cancer diagnosis. That's why Blood Cancer United offers free resources and personalized support to help patients and families make informed decisions.
Our Clinical trials: Understanding treatment booklet provides an overview of how clinical trials work, common questions to ask, and what to expect throughout the process.
And for personalized support, our Clinical Trial Nurse Navigators are here for you. Nurse Navigators will speak with you about clinical trials and other treatment options specific to your cancer and unique situation, and personally guide you through the entire clinical trial process.
And while every person's situation is different, the support process generally looks something like this:
Step 1: Talk with a Nurse Navigator
Our Nurse Navigators will discuss clinical trials and other treatment options specific to your diagnosis and unique situation. They can explain how clinical trials work, answer your questions, and help you understand whether participating in a clinical trial is something you'd like to explore.
Step 2: Find trials that may fit your situation
Your Nurse Navigator will review information about your diagnosis, treatment history, and other factors that may affect participation. They'll help identify clinical trials that may be appropriate for your situation and support you through the enrollment process if you choose to move forward.
Step 3: Get support throughout the process
Support doesn't stop once you've found a clinical trial. Your Nurse Navigator can continue to answer questions, help navigate barriers to care, and provide guidance throughout your clinical trial experience.
Whether you're exploring treatment options, wondering if you may qualify for a clinical trial, or simply trying to better understand what's available, Blood Cancer United is here to help.
Want to learn more about whether a clinical trial may be right for you? Fill out this form to connect with a Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator and get personalized support at no cost.
