The World Health Organization defines a clinical trial as “a type of research that studies new tests and treatments and evaluates their effects on human health outcomes.” Put simply, it’s a research study involving people, often used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and other therapies.

There are three phases of clinical trials:

  • In Phase 1 trials, researchers determine the best dose for a therapy.
  • In Phase 2 trials, researchers look at the safety and effectiveness of a therapy on a larger patient population in a more specific type of cancer.
  • In Phase 3 trials, researchers explore whether a new therapy (or new combination) is better than the current standard of care.

As a patient with lung cancer, the question becomes: Is a clinical trial right for me?

Here are three facts to help you understand how they work and whether exploring clinical trial options makes sense for you.

You get access to the latest care.

Patients enrolled in a clinical trial get access to the latest cancer care. In addition, clinical trials are run by experts in the field, so you are being closely monitored by some of the best minds in lung cancer. Moreover, as with all research, your participation and your results can also help inform and improve care for other patients with lung cancer.

You can keep your doctor—sometimes.

Because of the way you are monitored in many clinical trials, the treating oncologist for the trial site often becomes your primary doctor. But not always. In biobanking trials, for example, your primary treating oncologist won’t change.

You won’t be given a placebo.

While some clinical trials are “open” (you know what you’re getting), other clinical trials are “blinded.” In a blinded trial, you might or might not be getting the experimental therapy. What you won’t get, however, is a placebo. If you’re in the control group for a clinical trial you will get the current standard of care. In other words, you will still get treatment for your disease.

Here’s how to learn more.

There are clinical trials available to patients at different stages and with different types of lung cancer. If you’re interested in learning more about clinical trials, you should first consult with your doctor. You can also do your own research using clinical trial finders such as Antidote and TrailJectory. In addition, GO2 for Lung Cancer has LungMATCH specialists available who can conduct a personalized nationwide clinical trials search for you free on charge.

In the coming months, GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Science and Research team will be launching a Clinical Trials Newsletter. Keep an eye out on go2.org to sign up or contact Daniel Saez at dsaez@go2.org.