A clinical trial is a study designed to evaluate a promising new medical treatment.
When clinical trials identify new and effective treatments, these treatments will eventually become the new standard of care that will be offered to future patients. Today’s standard treatments were researched and proven by clinical trials done in the past.
It includes research done to evaluate new ways to prevent and diagnose and/or treat cancer. At Roswell Park, up to 50% of our patients are eligible to enter clinical trials. Many types of treatment can be tested including:
- New ways of preventing cancer such as drugs, diet, and/or exercise
- New drugs to treat cancer
- New ways to use existing treatment such as surgery or radiation therapy
Should I participate in a clinical trial? Learn more about participating in a clinical trial from the National Cancer Institute.