<b>How can you find out about clinical trials?</b>
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has created a computer file about cancer and clinical trials called Physicians Data Query (PDQ). The information in PDQ is updated monthly and can give you or your doctor the latest information on clinical trials being offered around the country, as well as the names of doctors running the trials and the names of the hospitals treating patients on the trials. Patients can obtain PDQ information from their physicians or by contacting the Cancer Information Service (CIS). The CIS answers cancer-related questions from the public, cancer patients and their families, and health professionals. If you have questions, call the toll-free number 1-800-4-CANCER and you will be connected to the CIS office serving your area.

PDQ contains summaries of over 1,500 cancer clinical trials that are available to patients. Treatment studies are grouped by the site of disease (for example, lung, kidney, breast, or bone), by the type of treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy), by the study phase (I, II, III, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, Group C, or Treatment Referral Center), by the drug used in the study, and by the city where the study is done. 


Supportive care studies are grouped by the cancer-related problem (for example, pain, anemia, infection), while prevention/early detection studies are grouped by the type of cancer like the treatment studies.

<b>** TREATMENT OPTIONS **</b> 
<b>What is best for you?</b> Finding answers and making decisions are often hard for a cancer patient. The diagnosis of cancer followed by decisions about therapy can be confusing, and you may be frightened and upset. It is important to discuss your possible choices with medical experts, including your own doctor, and with those close to you. Your personal doctor and cancer specialists can advise you about your choices for standard treatment or clinical trials.

PDQ provides detailed information for patients and physicians about the recent, best, standard treatment for most types of cancer. When there is no standard therapy that works, PDQ advises that physicians and patients consider clinical trials.


<b>What is informed consent?</b> Anyone entering a clinical trial in the United States is required to sign a form indicating that they understand what will happen to them during the study. If the patient is a child, a parent or guardian must sign the form. This form will tell you what treatment will be given, what kind of problems might occur, and what other treatments might work for your condition. The amount of help expected from the study will be given. In phase I studies, it is usually not known whether any help will occur. The informed consent form also indicates which costs are covered by the study and which must be paid by you (or your insurance).
After you have signed the consent form, a copy of it is given to you. Included on the form is the name and telephone number of someone to call if you have questions. Informed consent also tells you that you have the right to leave the study at any time. You cannot be refused other treatment that may help you if you decide not to become part of the study. Before you sign the informed consent form, you need to ask the doctor questions about the study.

<b>What are important questions to ask about a clinical trial?</b> If you are thinking about taking part in a clinical trial, here are some important questions to ask:
