Questions for your doctor

If you would like to know more about whether there is a cancer trial suitable for you,  the first thing you do is to talk to your doctor and/or the cancer trials research team in your hospital.

Here are some questions you may have.

Finding a study / trial

  • Are there any studies or trials I could enter with my type and stage of cancer?

Details about a trial

  • Can you tell me why this study/trial is being done?
  • What is being tested and why?
  • What are the possible advantages and risks of taking part?
  • Is there a chance I will not get the treatment being tested?
  • Will I be allocated a treatment by computer, or do you and I have any choice?
  • How long will the study last?
  • What will I have to do if I take part?
  • Will I have to have extra tests or scans?
  • Will I need to go to hospital?
  • Will I need to take time off work?
  • Will being involved affect my day-to-day life?
  • Who will oversee my cancer care while I am participating – will I have a different doctor?
  • How will I find out about the results if I take part?
  • Can I take part in more than one trial?
  • If I join this trial could I miss out on trials in the future?
  • How long do I have to decide?

How they are run

  • Can I tape the meeting or take notes?
  • Is the study / trial approved?
  • Can I bring a relative or friend to the informed consent meeting?
  • Who will be allowed to see my medical records?
  • What information about me will be on the computer?
  • Who will be told I am in a trial?
  • Can I claim expenses, such as travelling costs?

Safety

  • Who can I contact if I have a problem?
  • What are the likely side effects?
  • Can I leave the trial if I want to?
  • What will happen if I get side effects?
  • Who can I contact in an emergency?
  • Who makes sure the trial is safe and properly run?
  • Am I covered by insurance if things go wrong?
  • Is there anything I am not allowed to do while I am in the trial?
  • Are there any drugs or medicines I shouldn’t take while I am in the trial?