The Promise of Cancer Research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials
(research studies in which people volunteer to take part). For stomach cancer,
they are studying surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and combinations of
these types of treatment.
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, and researchers continue to search for more effective methods for
dealing with stomach cancer.
People who join clinical trials may be among the first to benefit if a new
approach is effective. And even if people in a trial do not benefit directly,
they still make an important contribution by helping doctors learn more about
stomach cancer and how to control it in other patients. Although clinical
trials may have some risks, doctors 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 a search form to
help you find studies of stomach cancer in progress. Information Specialists at
1-800-4-CANCER or at
LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/cis
can answer questions and provide information about clinical trials.
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