Cancerbackup: Understanding trials

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Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials)


Cancer research trials are carried out to try to find new and better treatments for cancer. Trials that are carried out on patients are known as clinical trials.

This section tries to answer the many questions that people ask about clinical trials for cancer. It explains why and how clinical trials are carried out. We have included some questions that you might like to ask before you decide whether to take part in a trial. We also explain how to find out if there is a trial suitable for you.


Content last reviewed: 01 April 2008
Page last modified: 14 July 2008

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