Cancer Clinical Trials
At Indiana University Heath Ball Memorial Cancer Center, a cancer team of more than 30 members consisting of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurse practitioners, oncology research coordinators, chemotherapy infusion nurses, pharmacists and medical education researchers dedicate their professional lives to advancing cancer care through clinical trials. With the help of participating volunteers, we continue the search for new treatments and cures.
What is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are research studies in which people, either with a high risk for cancer or a diagnosis of the disease, help physicians discover ways to improve health and cancer care. Each study tries to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer, as well as improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
Clinical trials evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, such as new drugs or drug combinations or new ways of using radiation therapy. Other trials assess new approaches to cancer diagnosis and prevention, such as genetics and genetic therapy.
Participation is always voluntary and is authorized by a process called informed consent in which patients and their families are thoroughly informed about the nature of the trial and possible side effects and then consent to participate.
It is important that men and women of all ages and backgrounds take part in clinical trials. Each trial has eligibility criteria or rules about who can and cannot participate. You should talk to your doctor about whether or not you are eligible for a clinical trial.
Before you make your decision, you should
- Learn as much as possible about your disease—see the National Cancer Institute’s A to Z List of Cancers for cancer information.
- Learn as much as possible about clinical trials that are available to you.
- View the clinical trials at the IU Health Ball Memorial Cancer Center and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
- View clinical trials by location at Hoosier Oncology Group.
- Search clinical trials available throughout the United States at NCI's Search for Clinical Trials.
- Discuss this information and how you feel about it with your doctor and/or nurse, family members and friends to help you determine what is right for you.
How to sign-up
To sign-up for a clinical trial, please call the IU Health Ball Memorial Cancer Center at 765.751.5850 or IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Medical Research at 765.747.8458. It is crucial for you to speak with your physician about clinical trials before participating.
Studies conducted by the Hoosier Oncology Group and the National Cancer Institute have different eligibility requirements and participation procedures. Please see their individual websites for more information.