How do you find a trial?
People often ask us how they can find out about clinical trials. This page tells you how you might go about doing this and includes information on
If you want to join a trial, you have to be referred by your doctor. So start by asking your cancer specialist. There may be a trial locally which would suit you. Your specialist will know about any large national, or international trials, for your type of cancer and will be able to tell you if they are suitable for you. This is the most straightforward approach to finding a trial, as your specialist will have all your test results, records and reports and will know whether trials are right for you.
CancerHelp UK has set up a searchable database of cancer trials in the UK. We don't only include Cancer Research UK trials. We aim to include information on all trials that are open to patients, whichever research organisations are running them. We have put this database together so that people affected by cancer in the UK can find out more about what is happening in the world of cancer research. All our information is written in plain English, so that it is as easy as possible to understand.
You may be interested in finding out about cancer research in general. But you may also see a particular trial that you are interested in. The best thing to do then, is to discuss it with your own doctor. There is a process for joining a trial that is time consuming, but important. This involves an experienced trials nurse or doctor explaining all about the trial, what may happen and about any possible risks. Our database isn't intended to replace this process in any way. If you find a trial that you are interested in, we suggest you print off the trial record and take it to your own doctor to discuss. Very few specialists would mind this. They will be only too pleased to refer you if the trial really is suitable for you.
You can search the database for trials for different types and stages of cancer. Or for different types of treatment. Use this link to go to the clinical trials database.
All the trial records on our database have a contact name. Often, this is the Cancer Research UK information nurses. They have all the protocols for the trials on our database and know where they are taking place. If you would prefer to discuss a trial with someone before you approach your own doctor, you can ring or email and talk through your circumstances to find out if the trial is likely to be suitable. We offer this service to the organisers of all the trials on our database. Often, trials teams are very, very busy - they may not have anyone who is experienced at discussing this type of information with patients over the phone. So you can ring the Cancer Research UK information nurses instead and talk things through. But only your own doctor, who has all your medical details, can check for sure whether a trial is suitable for you.
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