The Promise of Cancer Research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials.
These are research studies in which people volunteer to take part. In clinical
trials, doctors are testing new ways to treat oral cancer. Research has already
led to advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective
approaches.
People who join clinical trials may be among the first to benefit if a new
approach is shown to be effective. And if participants do not benefit directly,
they still make an important contribution to medical science by helping doctors
learn more about the disease and how to control it. Although clinical trials
may pose some risks, researchers do all they can to protect their patients.
Researchers are testing anticancer drugs and combinations of drugs. They are
studying radiation therapy combined with drugs and other treatments. They also
are testing drugs that prevent or reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.
If you are interested in learning more about joining a clinical trial, you may
want to 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 with general
information about clinical trials and detailed information about specific
studies. The Cancer Information Service at
1-800-4-CANCER or at LiveHelp
at http://www.cancer.gov can answer questions and
provide information about clinical trials. Another source of information about
clinical trials is http://clinicaltrials.gov.
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