WHEN PEOPLE THINK of cancer research, they may picture a person with cancer receiving an experimental drug to see if it works. This describes a clinical trial, which tests a medical intervention in people. These interventions can include new drugs, treatment regimens or behavioral changes, like starting a diet or an exercise program.
While important for helping to bring new therapies to patients, clinical trials are just one form of cancer research. Many other kinds of studies involving people also expand knowledge about cancer. In a report published April 2, 2024, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers looked at study participation rates from 2013 to 2017 among people treated at 1,200 cancer programs in the U.S. They found 21.9% of patients joined at least one research study, but just 7.1% participated in a clinical trial.
Below are some of the other study types that offer opportunities for people with cancer to participate in research.
Sources: Journal of Clinical Oncology, National Cancer Institute
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