Purpose of Clinical Trials
Our understanding of cancer and how to treat it is constantly evolving toward the day when we have a cure. The cure is not here yet, but our treatment options have greatly improved in recent decades. Clinical trials are an important part of the process of bringing new treatments to market to improve patient outcomes.
Some of the reasons we conduct clinical trials include:
- Testing a new procedure for identifying and diagnosing certain diseases and conditions.
- Finding ways to prevent certain diseases or conditions before they have a chance to develop.
- Exploring new methods of supportive care for patients with chronic disease.
- Gauging the success of new treatment methods for particular diseases.
Clinical trials are conducted after exhaustive research and development in the lab. The treatments and methods used in clinical trials are promising in every environment in which they are tested. The final trial is to use actual patients who have the conditions we are trying to treat or prevent.
Access to clinical trials is a great benefit to patients because it means they can use a new medication or treatment before it is widely available. Instead of waiting months or even years to get the new drugs approved and marketed, patients who qualify can get these treatments now, when they need them.
