Clinical trials are research studies, managed by government agencies, educational institutions, private not-for-profit organizations, or commercial businesses, to develop, produce and evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies for diseases. Each study tries to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer. 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers a wealth of information about Clinical Trials and what you need to know to participate in a Clinical Trial.

• What Is a Clinical Trial?
• How to Find a Cancer Treatment Trial: A 10-Step Guide
• Should I Take Part in a Clinical Trial?
• Should I Take Part in a Cancer Prevention Trial?
•  How Do I Take Part in a Clinical Trial?
• Participating in a Trial: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• How Is a Clinical Trial Planned and Carried Out?
• Protecting Participants in Clinical Trials
• Ten Things to Know About Cancer Treatment Trials
• Eleven Things to Know about Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials
• Cancer Imaging Clinical Trials

More from the NCI >>  Search the NCI's list of 8,000+ clinical trials now accepting participants. Call the NCI at 1-800-4-CANCER with questions about Clinical Trials.

Information on this page is provided collaboratively by the team at the Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's and has been medically reviewed by Rajesh G. Laungani, MD, 2010. The PCC follows American Urological Association and  National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Last Updated: July 13, 2011 (RSH)