This article is sponsored by Pfizer.
Making healthcare decisions starts with having the right information. That information may include learning about clinical trials—what they are, how they work, and whether they are right for you. Because clinical trials can feel confusing or intimidating, understanding them more clearly can help people feel better informed as they explore their healthcare choices.
What Are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that are designed to help researchers better understand diseases and evaluate potential new ways to treat them.
These studies are a critical part of advancing healthcare. Without clinical trials, many of today’s medicines would not exist.
How Do Clinical Trials Work?
Each clinical trial follows a carefully structured plan, known as a protocol. This plan outlines:
- Who can participate
- What will happen during the study
- How long the study will last
- What data will be collected
Some clinical trials compare a potential new approach to an existing standard of care (or approved treatment), while others explore potential new ways to use current treatments. In cancer clinical trials, participants will generally either receive a study medicine, a standard of care treatment, or a combination of both. Participants are always informed about what to expect before joining but you and your loved ones should feel empowered to ask the healthcare provider.
Participation can vary depending on the study. Some may involve additional doctor visits or tests at the study site, while others may fit into existing care routines.
Understanding Safety and Participant Protections
One of the most common concerns about clinical trials is safety. The good news is that clinical trials are guided by strict regulations to help protect participants. These include:
- Informed consent: Before joining a clinical trial, participants receive detailed information about the study, including potential risks and benefits. Participation is always voluntary.
- Ethics review boards: Independent groups review and monitor clinical trials to ensure participants’ rights, safety, and well-being are protected.
- Ongoing monitoring: Researchers continuously track safety data throughout the study.
Participants and their care partners also have the right to ask questions, take time to decide whether they are interested in joining the study, and can leave the study at any point in the process. Feel free to discuss clinical trials and your participation with your loved ones and doctor(s). With their help, you can decide what’s best for you.
Why Representation in Clinical Trials Is So Important
Race, ethnicity, age, and sex can all impact how different people respond to the same medicine or vaccine. This is why diversity among clinical trial participants is so important. The more diverse a group of clinical trial participants, the more we can learn about the safety and efficacy of a potential medicine or vaccine for people who have characteristics like those of the participants. In 2024, Black participants made up less than 5% of those enrolled in pivotal trials supporting the development of new cancer medicines. Some clinical trials included no Black participants at all.
For Black Americans and other underrepresented groups, participation in clinical trials helps:
- Improve understanding of how diseases affect different populations
- Ensure research reflects diverse groups who are impacted by a disease
- Support the development of more inclusive healthcare solutions
Participation in clinical trials by people of all backgrounds can make a difference by reducing health disparities among underrepresented populations and improving the development of medicines and vaccines for everyone.
Common Questions About Clinical Trials
Will I receive a placebo?
Some clinical trials include placebos or an inactive medicine, while others compare potential new treatments to approved standard of care treatments. If you or a loved one is considering taking part in a clinical trial, you should feel empowered to ask the study doctor about which medicine or potential medicine you may receive.
Will I still see my regular doctor?
As part of a clinical trial, your study-related medical care is provided by the study team at the location where you’re participating. Your regular medical doctors can also work with the study team to understand the details of the study and make sure it does not conflict with any medicines or treatments you are receiving outside of the study.
Do I have to pay to participate?
This may vary depending on the study. Some clinical trials may cover certain expenses, but it’s important to ask questions to the study team and understand the details upfront.
Taking the Next Step
Deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial is personal. For some, it may be an opportunity to contribute to impactful research that could help shape future medicines. For others, it may simply be a way to learn more about all options.
If you’re curious, start by talking with your doctor or a trusted health resource. Together, we can build healthier communities.
To learn more about how you can get involved, click here.