Dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be emotionally and physically exhausting. When there are few alternatives for treatment that will be effective, you may want to start investigating the possibility of becoming involved in a clinical trial. When you have few options left, every alternative can provide some hope and encouragement.

Although there is no research that proves that being a part of a clinical trial will provide a cure for your specific cancer, you may be interested in still giving it a try. Depending on the kind of cancer that you have and the details of your diagnosis, you may qualify to try a new medication or procedure that could be helpful.

Not everyone will qualify for available clinical trials, and finding a study that is suitable is not as easy as just signing up. If your cancer is a result of exposure to carcinogenic substances like asbestos you can rely on a lawyer like the advocates at Bergman Legal to help with your case, but finding a cure is still up to you. 

You will need to combine efforts with your doctor and medical team to investigate if there is a current study out there that is right for you. There are a number of different avenues that you can pursue to get involved in a clinical trial for your cancer treatment.

NCI-Supported Trials

Millions of dollars of donated money are sunk each year into the science and study of cancer treatment. Many of these studies are based on clinical trials. The National Cancer Institute funds and supports many of these studies. 

They have a vast network within the medical and scientific community. The NCI Oncology Research Program performs many trials that patients can apply for every year. Most of these trials come with no cost to the patients but only a willingness to act as a study group for the testing.

You can get in touch with the NCI Contact Center either by phone or email to ask for details about any existing studies or trials that are being run that are suitable for your type of cancer.

Cancer Centers & Clinics

Private cancer treatment centers often fund and run many of their own studies and medical trials. By contacting these organizations and providing the details of your cancer diagnosis you may be able to find a trial that is right for you. You can visit the websites for centers all around the country to find listings of current and projected drug trials.

Drug Companies

Pharmaceutical companies have a big interest in discovering the best drugs for the treatment of cancer. Many fully funded trials are listed on their websites and applications can often be downloaded right online.

Advocacy Groups

These passionate organizations dedicate their funds and time in support of cancer patients. They are some of the most highly informed cancer support avenues and can help you to research any studies that are available. Along with education and support, cancer advocacy groups can help you get involved in the right study for you.

Your medical team — including your own general practitioner and your oncology team — are your best resource for finding a clinical trial to participate in. With an open mind and a willingness to be patient and positive, you can take a proactive approach to fight your battle with cancer.