The short answer
Clinical trials are research studies that test whether new treatments are safe and work better than current care. Most progress in curing childhood cancers has come through trials, and many children are offered the chance to take part.
Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments for safety and effectiveness.
Most progress in curing childhood cancers has come through clinical trials.
Trials for children usually compare a potentially better therapy with the current standard.
Taking part is voluntary, and families can ask questions before deciding.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Clinical trials are research studies that test whether a new treatment is safe and works better than current care. Before any new treatment can be widely used, it must be studied in trials. For children, trials have been central to progress.
Why trials matter for children
Most of the progress in finding curative treatments for childhood cancers has been made through clinical trials. Trials for children and teens are generally designed to compare a potentially better therapy with the therapy that is currently accepted as standard.
Most progress against childhood cancer has come through clinical trials.
Taking part is a choice
Joining a trial is voluntary. Families can ask questions, take time to decide, and change their mind later. A child who does not join a trial still receives standard care. Ask about possible benefits, risks, and any extra visits or tests.
Learning about options
Your child's care team can discuss whether a trial is a good fit. NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can also help families learn about ongoing clinical trials for children with cancer.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study in which a new treatment is tested to find out whether it is safe and works. New treatments must be studied this way before they can be widely used.
▸Why are trials important for children?
Most of the progress in identifying curative therapies for childhood cancers has been made through clinical trials. Many children treated at specialized centers are offered the chance to take part.
▸What do childhood cancer trials compare?
Trials for children and teens are generally designed to compare a potentially better therapy with the therapy that is currently accepted as standard.
▸Is joining a trial required?
No. Taking part is voluntary. Families can ask questions, take time to decide, and change their mind, and a child can still receive standard care if they do not join.
▸How can we learn about trials?
Your child's care team can discuss trial options, and NCI's Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER) can help identify ongoing clinical trials for children with cancer.
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