Key questions about clinical trials

Cancer clinical trials are carefully designed to test new approaches or improve existing ones. In Australia, all clinical trials must be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee before they can begin. This ensures that:

• the rights, safety, and wellbeing of participants are protected
• the potential benefits and risks have been carefully considered

Clinical trials must also follow strict guidelines, and participants are closely monitored throughout the study.

Every clinical trial has specific rules about who can take part. These are called eligibility criteria and may include:

• the type and stage of cancer
• previous treatments
• overall health

Learn more about eligibility criteria.

Many clinical trials are conducted in phases to test new treatment approaches safely and effectively. Each phase has a different purpose, such as:

• assessing safety
• determining effective doses
• comparing treatments

Learn more about clinical trial phases.

Learn more about the types of clinical trials on the Victorian Cancer Trials Link. 

The best way to find out if a clinical trial is right for you is to speak with your doctor or specialist. They can:

• help identify suitable trials
• explain the potential benefits and risks
• refer you to a trial team if appropriate

You can also search for trials using this website, and make an enquiry about the trial with the participating hospital or speak with your doctor about whether it may be suitable for you.

In many cases, the organisation running the trial covers the cost of treatments, tests, and check-ups. Some trials may also reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as travel or parking. However, this can vary, so it is important to ask the trial team.

If you are not an Australian permanent resident or citizen, you may need to cover some costs.

Participants are not usually paid to take part in cancer clinical trials. In some cases, you may be reimbursed for certain expenses, such as travel or parking. Check with the trial coordinator before you enrol.

The length of a clinical trial can vary widely depending on:

• what is being studied
• the phase of the trial

A trial may run for months or years, but your involvement may be shorter. For example, you might attend only a single visit, take part over several weeks or months, or have follow-up over a longer period.

Speak with the trial coordinator about what participation would involve for you.

It may be possible to take part in more than one trial, but this depends on the specific studies and their eligibility criteria. You should:

• check with the trial coordinator
• consider whether you can manage the time and requirements of multiple trials

This depends on the specific trial.

Some trials allow you to continue other treatments, while others have restrictions. It's important to discuss this with the trial team, especially if you are currently receiving treatment or planning future treatment.

Ask your doctor about trials near you, or search using the Victorian Cancer Trials Link website.

If a suitable trial is not available close to home, talk to the trial coordinator, hospital social worker or your doctor about travel and accommodation options. Some trials may reimburse these costs.

There can be benefits to participating in a clinical trial. Depending on the study, you may:

• access programs, medicines or treatments not otherwise available
• have access to new treatments that are being tested, which may or may not be more effective than standard care
• see your treatment team more often
• play an active role in your care
• contribute to improving things for future patients

However, it's important to understand that outcomes are not guaranteed. You may not benefit more than you would with standard care, and not everyone responds to treatment in the same way.

In some trials, you may be placed in a comparison group (control group). If this happens, you will still receive the best standard care available and be closely monitored. Your doctor or research team will explain the potential benefits and risks before you decide to take part.

Before joining a clinical trial, you will be asked to give informed consent. This means you understand the purpose, risks, and possible outcomes of the study and agree to take part.

Informed consent involves:

• Written information - you will receive a document (called participant information) explaining the study, what is involved, and any risks or benefits.
• Discussion - you can ask questions and discuss the study with the research team.
• Agreement - if you decide to take part, you will sign a consent form.

Signing the form is not a contract. You can change your mind at any time.

Participant information is a document that explains the study and helps you decide if it is right for you. It usually includes:

• The purpose of the study
• Who can take part
• What you will need to do if you decide to take part
• Possible risks and benefits
• Any tests or procedures involved
• How long the study will last
• Costs or reimbursements
• How your information will be used
• Who to contact with questions or concerns

Yes. Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without giving a reason.

If you withdraw, you will continue to receive the best available standard treatment. You may be asked if the research team can continue to collect some information, but this is your choice.

Your medical records, including your involvement in a clinical trial, are private and confidential.

Only authorised health professionals and research staff directly involved in your care or the study can access your information, and only when necessary for your care or the study.

Information collected through the trial is often de-identified, meaning your name is removed and replaced with a code. This helps protect your identity when results are published or shared.

At the end of the trial, personal information is securely stored for at least 15 years, as required by law. If you have any concerns about your privacy, speak with the clinical trials team at your hospital.

It can take time for trial results to become available. Results are often published a few years after the study finishes and may be shared through medical journals or conferences.

Results are usually reported for all participants together, rather than individually.

Not all trials provide results directly to participants. If you would like to know the results, ask your doctor or the study coordinator. Some studies provide results in an easy-to-understand summary.

Clinical trials are essential to improving cancer care. They help show whether new approaches to prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, or supportive care are safe and work better than current methods.

If the new approach is shown to be more effective, it may become the new standard way of care. This is how clinical trials contribute to cancer breakthroughs and improved outcomes for patients.

No. Not all clinical trials involve a placebo.

In cancer treatment trials, a placebo is used only alongside standard care, not instead of it.

Your doctor or trial team can explain whether a specific study involves a placebo.