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The Promise of Cancer Research
Doctors are conducting clinical trials (research studies in which people
volunteer to take part).
Clinical trials are designed to answer important questions and to find out
whether new approaches are safe and effective. Research already has led to
advances, such as photodynamic therapy, and researchers continue to search for
better ways to prevent and treat skin cancer.
For basal cell cancer, researchers are studying gene changes that may be risk
factors for the disease. They also are comparing
biological therapy
with
surgery to treat basal cell cancer.
People who join clinical trials may be among the first to benefit if a new
approach is effective. And even if participants do not benefit directly, they
still make an important contribution by helping doctors learn more about the
disease and how to control it in other patients. Although clinical trials may
pose some risks, researchers do all they can to protect their patients.
If you are interested in being part of a clinical trial, talk with your doctor.
You may want to read the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. It explains how clinical trials are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks.
NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials.
It has general information about clinical trials as well as detailed
information about specific ongoing studies of skin cancer. Information
Specialists at 1-800-4-CANCER or at
LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov can
answer questions and provide information about clinical trials.
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