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Cancer Explained

Clinical Trials, Explained

Understand what clinical trials are, how they are designed and kept safe, how to find one, and the questions worth asking before joining.

10 stepsAbout 48 min total

This learning path is educational only. It is not a treatment plan. Your healthcare team can help you understand what applies to your situation.

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  1. Read6 min

    What are clinical trials?

    The purpose of research studies, explained.

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  2. Clinical trials4 min

    Clinical Trials Education Center

    Explore the full plain-language hub.

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  3. Read5 min

    Trial phases

    What phase 1, 2, and 3 mean.

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  4. Clinical trials5 min

    Informed consent

    Your rights and how consent works.

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  5. Read5 min

    Finding a clinical trial

    How to search for studies that may fit.

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  6. Read5 min

    Joining a trial

    What happens if you decide to take part.

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  7. Clinical trials5 min

    Common questions

    Answers to the questions people ask most.

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  8. Quiz4 min

    Check your understanding

    A short quiz on clinical trials.

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  9. Clinical trials4 min

    Questions to ask

    Questions to bring up with your care team.

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  10. Tool5 min

    Prepare for your visit

    Build your own appointment question list.

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Helpful words to know

Plain-language definitions in our glossary.

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Save questions for your doctor

Build a personalized list of questions to bring to your next appointment.

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NCI: Clinical Trials Information (opens in a new tab)

Read the source material at the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov).

Visit cancer.gov