What are cancer clinical trials?
Who makes sure my rights are protected?
What cancer clinical trials does Medicare pay for?
Questions to ask
For more information
What are cancer clinical trials?
Cancer treatment clinical trials are research studies to find better ways to
treat cancer. Clinical trials often compare the most accepted cancer treatment
(standard treatment) with a new treatment that doctors hope will be better.
What doctors learn in these trials will help people with cancer-now and in the
future.
It is important that men and women of all ages and backgrounds take part in
clinical trials. Each trial has rules about who can and cannot participate; for
example, people who have the same type of cancer. Think about asking your
doctor if you can take part in a clinical trial.
Before you join a clinical trial, a doctor, nurse, or another person on
the research team will explain why the trial is being done and what will happen
during the clinical trial. You will be given a consent form to read
The consent form will explain:
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The exact plan for each step in the clinical trial
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What side effects you may have
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How the trial may affect your daily life
You should ask questions about any part of the clinical trial or consent form
you do not understand. If you decide to take part in the trial, you will be
asked to sign the consent form. Even if you sign the consent form, you can
still change your mind and stop participating at any time.
Who makes sure my rights are protected?
National and local groups of experts approve clinical trials before they begin.
One of the most important groups is called an institutional review board (IRB).
Each hospital or cancer center has an IRB, which includes doctors, nurses, and
people from the community. The IRB's job is to review clinical trials and make
sure they are run safely and fairly.
If you join a clinical trial that compares treatments, you will get either:
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The best accepted treatment for the kind of cancer you have (called standard
treatment)
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A new treatment that doctors hope will be better than the standard treatment
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It is not known for sure if the new treatment will help you more or less than
the standard treatment.
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Treatments in clinical trials may have side effects.
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You may have to pay some of the costs of the trial that Medicare does not
cover. It's important to talk about these costs with your health care provider.
No. Taking part in a clinical trial is up to you. It is important to look at all
of your treatment options. You and your family should ask questions before you
decide to take part. Be sure to get all the information you need before making
your decision.
What cancer clinical trials does Medicare pay for?
Medicare will pay for most cancer treatment clinical trials that are funded by:
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The National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Another part of the Federal Government
Medicare will pay for all routine costs that are part of a clinical trial.
Medicare will pay for:
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Visits to your doctor's office
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All tests that you will need for your medical
care
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Your hospital stay(s), if you need it
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Surgery, if you need it
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Tests and treatments for side effects, if you have them
It is important to know that Medicare will not pay for all your costs.
Medicare will not pay for:
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Some clinical trial treatments
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Tests that collect information only for the trial, but are not needed for your
medical care
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Coinsurance and deductibles
Yes. Medicare covers the costs of participating in many cancer treatment trials,
whether you are in a Medicare + Choice Plan or in the Original Medicare Plan.
You may take part in a trial outside of your Medicare + Choice Plan. Before you
start treatment in a clinical trial, tell your plan. This way, your plan can
still keep track of your cancer treatment.
If you have more questions about what costs Medicare will pay for, call Medicare
toll-free at
1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227).
TTY/TDD users, call
1-877-486-2048.
Questions to ask
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Here are some questions to ask
before you agree to take part in a clinical
trial:
- Why is the clinical trial
being done?
- How will it help
me?
- What kinds of tests and
treatments are part of the trial?
- How could the clinical trial
change what I do every day?
- What will happen to my
cancer with or without this treatment?
- What treatments could I get
if I don't take part in the clinical
trial?
- What are possible short- and
long-term side effects for me and my family to think
about?
- How do the risks and side
effects of the standard treatment compare with the new
treatment?
- How long will the clinical
trial last?
- Will I have to stay in the
hospital during the clinical trial? If so, how often
and for how
long?
- Will I have check-ups after
the clinical trial?
- How long do I have to make
up my mind about joining this trial?
Tip: Write out a list of
your questions and concerns to ask your doctor
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For more information
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Ask your doctor
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Visit the clinical trials section of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Web
site at www.cancer.gov
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Call NCI's Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (toll-free
TTY for people who are deaf or hard of hearing: 1-800-332-8615)
Medicare is a health insurance program for people who are age 65 or older, some
people with disabilities under age 65, and people with end-stage renal disease
(permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
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