You can call The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Clinical Trials Referral Office for help in finding a clinical trial. This service is provided by NCI to help people with cancer, their friends and families, and health care professionals learn more about cancer clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Clinical Trials Referral Office staff can tell you about:
- Trials for your type of cancer
- Methods of treatment being studied
- Eligibility requirements
- The referral process
The Clinical Trials Referral Office serves hundreds of callers each month – many who have just been diagnosed with cancer, some who have already received treatment, and some whose cancer has returned. Family members or friends who want to help or want to become familiar with clinical trials as a treatment option may also contact the Clinical Trials Referral Office.
To find out which clinical trials are available at NCI in Bethesda, Maryland, and how to enroll in a trial:
- Call 1-888-NCI-1937
- Talk with member(s) of appropriate research team(s)
- Talk to your physician/health care professional
- Schedule a screening visit
- Decide whether to enroll
Step 1: Call 1-888-NCI-1937
Call the Clinical Trials Referral Office at 1-888-NCI-1937. Based on the medical history you provide, the staff will identify clinical trials that appear to be possible options for you. With your permission, your information will be sent to the research team of each trial identified.
Step 2: Talk with members of appropriate research team(s)
A member of the research team for each appropriate trial will contact you within a specified amount of time. That team member will provide you with information about the trial and will ask additional screening questions to further determine your eligibility.
Step 3: Talk to your physician/health care professional
We suggest that you review the information you receive on an appropriate clinical trial with your physician/health care professional. If you decide that you wish to participate in a trial, your physician/health care professional should contact the trial's principal investigator to discuss your medical history and current health status.
If you appear to meet eligibility requirements, you will be invited to NCI for a screening visit.
Step 4: Schedule a screening visit
A research nurse or investigator in charge of the trial will set up a screening visit for you at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
There is no charge for medical care received at the NIH Clinical Center. Patients will be responsible for travel costs for their initial screening visits. In most cases, once patients are enrolled in a trial, NCI will pay the transportation costs for all subsequent trial-related visits for patients who do not live in the local area. In addition, these patients will receive a small per diem for food and lodging expenses if they are being treated as outpatients.
Before the screening visit, you will receive a packet of information containing:
- Maps
- Travel and hotel information
- Instructions on what paperwork to bring
(Generally this includes copies of your medical and treatment summary, pathology reports and slides, and radiology reports.)
The screening visit is very much like a consultation visit with a medical specialist. During the visit, you may be asked to have several common diagnostic tests such as blood tests, chest X-ray, and EKG. You will also have a chance to:
- Meet and speak with the physicians, nurses, and social workers who make up the research team
- Learn about the risks and benefits of the trial you are considering
- Ask questions about any aspect of the trial
The purpose of the screening visit is to determine if you are a candidate for a particular trial. It is not expected that you make a decision to participate at the time of this visit.
Step 5: Decide whether to enroll
If you are eligible to join a trial, discuss your decision with your physician/health care professional and family or friends. Consider:
- Possible risks and benefits
- How the trial will affect your everyday life (For example, inpatient trials require you to stay at the NIH Clinical Center for a few days or longer. Outpatient trials allow you to receive treatment and go home the same day.)
- How the trial will contribute to the overall improvement of cancer treatment for generations to come
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to sign a consent document that describes, among other things:
- The trial's treatment schedule
- Possible benefits and side effects
Signing a consent document does not mean that you sign away any personal rights or protections. It simply means that you have read it and understand the purpose and elements of a trial, and that you are participating voluntarily.
You may withdraw from the trial at any time. If you choose to leave the trial, you will have the opportunity to discuss other treatment options or concerns with the trial team.
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