Joining a cancer clinical trial
How people with cancer can find out about, and possibly join, a research study testing a new treatment, test or way of caring for people.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- A trial gives access to a treatment that is not yet routine, while helping research; it is not a guaranteed or proven cure.
- Whether you can join depends on strict eligibility rules, so a trial may not be open to you even if you want it.
- Reputable UK cancer trials run through the NHS and research hospitals and are free; you should never pay to access a genuine trial.
- Ask your own cancer team (MDT) first, and use trusted routes such as NIHR Be Part of Research and Cancer Research UK's trials database.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.
Access to a new treatment, test or approach that is not yet routinely available
Your cancer type, stage or previous treatment does not match the trial's eligibility criteria.
You have tests to check whether you meet the trial's eligibility criteria. This can take days to a few weeks and does not commit you to taking part.
A named research nurse or contact and a clear out-of-hours advice line.
You have tests to check whether you meet the trial's eligibility criteria. This can take days to a few weeks and...
The team explains the trial and you sign a consent form if you choose to take part. Treatment then starts...
You attend regular appointments for treatment, blood tests, scans and side-effect checks, often more frequently...
The team monitors how you respond. It can take weeks or months to see whether a treatment is helping, and plans...
What does it mean to join a cancer clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests whether a new treatment, test or way of supporting people is safe and works better than what is already used. Joining a trial is a way to access a treatment that is not yet routinely available, while helping doctors learn things that may help future patients.
Trials are run in stages called phases. Early (phase 1) trials mainly look at safety and side effects in small numbers of people. Later (phase 2 and 3) trials look at how well a treatment works, often comparing it with the current standard treatment. In some trials a computer decides at random which group you join (randomisation), and occasionally a dummy treatment (placebo) is used, but only when there is no standard treatment you would otherwise be missing out on.
The most important thing to understand is that a trial is research, not proven care. The new treatment might work better, the same, or less well than standard treatment, and it may cause side effects that are not yet fully known. Whether you can join depends on detailed rules called eligibility criteria, so not everyone who wants to take part is able to.
In the UK, reputable cancer trials almost always run through the NHS and research hospitals and are free to take part in. You should never have to pay a private clinic to 'buy' a place on a genuine trial. Genuine UK trials must be approved by an independent research ethics committee through the Health Research Authority (HRA), and trials testing a new medicine are also regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This oversight exists to protect you, and it is one way to tell a properly run trial from an unregulated clinic.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Standard treatment vs a clinical trial
| Standard treatment | Clinical trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Already tested and approved | Still being studied |
| Benefit | Known, expected benefit | Not guaranteed; being measured |
| Side effects | Better understood | May not be fully known yet |
| Extra visits | Usual schedule | Often more tests and visits |
| Cost in UK | Free on NHS | Free in genuine NHS trials |
A trial is not automatically 'better' than standard treatment. It is a way to access something new while it is being properly tested.
Preparing for your treatment
- Ask your cancer team (the multidisciplinary team, or MDT) whether any trial might suit you; they know your diagnosis and stage.
- Write down your exact diagnosis, cancer type, stage and previous treatments, as trials match on these details.
- Look at trusted UK sources together: NIHR Be Part of Research and the Cancer Research UK clinical trials database.
- Prepare questions about the trial's aim, what is being tested, the possible benefits and risks, and what extra visits are involved.
- Ask whether the trial is randomised, whether a placebo is used, and what treatment you would get if you do not join.
- Check practical issues: travel, time off work, extra scans or blood tests, and who pays for what.
- Be wary of any clinic asking you to pay to join a 'trial', or promising a cure; bring these to your NHS team before agreeing to anything.
What happens
Usually your own cancer doctor or specialist nurse raises a trial, or you ask them about one you have found. They check your diagnosis and history against the trial's eligibility criteria. You may need extra tests, such as scans, blood tests or tumour testing, to confirm whether you can take part.
If you might be eligible, the research team explains the trial in detail and gives you written information to take away. Taking part is always your choice. You and the doctor or research nurse sign a consent form together after discussing the trial, and you can ask questions or take time to decide.
If you join, you may be allocated to a treatment group (sometimes at random). You then have the trial treatment and monitoring according to the study plan, which often means more appointments than usual. You can choose to leave a trial at any time, and your normal NHS care will continue.
Is this treatment right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- Your cancer type, stage or previous treatment does not match the trial's eligibility criteria.
- You are too unwell, or have other health conditions that the trial excludes for safety.
- Standard, proven treatment is clearly the better option for your situation right now.
- The only 'trial' on offer is from an unregulated clinic, charges a fee, or promises a cure.
Delay or rearrange if…
- You have an active infection or are acutely unwell and need urgent treatment first.
- Key results, scans or tumour tests needed to confirm eligibility are not yet back.
- You feel rushed or pressured and need more time to read the information and ask questions.
- You have not yet discussed the trial with your own cancer team (MDT).
Alternatives to discuss
- Standard, approved NHS treatment for your cancer, discussed with your MDT.
- A second opinion to review whether a trial or different approach is appropriate.
- Supportive and palliative care alongside treatment to help symptoms and wellbeing.
- Watchful waiting or active monitoring where this is clinically appropriate.
- Waiting for a different or later trial that may be a better match.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Benefits
- Access to a new treatment, test or approach that is not yet routinely available
- Close monitoring and extra tests as part of careful research follow-up
- Helping doctors learn things that may improve care for future patients
- A structured chance to discuss your options in detail with a research team
- Continued access to your usual NHS care if you decide a trial is not right for you
Risks & complications
- More appointments, scans, blood tests and travel than standard care
- Uncertainty: the new treatment may not work better than standard treatment
- Side effects that are not yet fully understood for newer treatments
- Disappointment if you are not eligible or are randomised to a group you did not hope for
- Being withdrawn from a trial if it is not working for you or your health changes
- Needing to stop the trial treatment and switch to standard treatment
- Practical or financial strain from extra visits
- Serious or unexpected adverse reactions, especially in very early (phase 1) trials
- A treatment turning out to be less effective than standard care
The biggest uncertainty in any trial is that you cannot know in advance whether the new treatment will help you, and newer treatments may have side effects that are not yet fully described. Ask the research team what is already known about safety, what monitoring is in place, and what happens if the treatment does not suit you. Beware any provider who downplays these uncertainties or promises a cure.
Published figures to discuss
It is not possible to give reliable benefit or response percentages for 'joining a trial' in general, because results depend entirely on the specific cancer, treatment and trial design, and many trials are testing treatments precisely because the answer is not yet known. Early-phase trials carry more uncertainty about both benefit and side effects than later-phase trials. Beware any source quoting a guaranteed success rate.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial treatment may not be better than standard care | Core trial uncertainty | Randomisation and equipoise mean the benefit is genuinely unknown when the trial is designed. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
| Unexpected side effects | Higher in early-phase trials | Phase 1 trials mainly test safety/dose; later phases give more information on effectiveness. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
| Eligibility screen fails | Common | Cancer type, stage, molecular markers, blood tests, organ function and previous treatments often determine eligibility. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
| Extra visit and scan burden | Trial-dependent | Consent should cover travel, time, biopsies, extra imaging, contraception requirements and data use. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
There is no physical recovery from 'joining' a trial itself, but trial treatment often means more visits and monitoring than usual care, and it can take time to learn whether a treatment is helping.
- Mixed feelings of hope and uncertainty while waiting to learn if you are eligible
- More tiredness from extra appointments, travel and tests
- Side effects from the trial treatment, which the team will monitor and manage
- Not knowing for some time whether the treatment is working
- Needing to ask questions more than once before a decision feels clear
Aftercare
- Keep all trial appointments and monitoring tests, as these are part of staying safe.
- Report any new or worsening side effects to the research team promptly.
- Keep a written note of your trial treatment, drug names and the team's contact details.
- Tell other doctors and your GP that you are in a trial, especially before any new medicine.
- Ask the team who to contact out of hours and what counts as an emergency.
- Remember you can leave the trial at any time without affecting your normal NHS care.
- Ask how and when you will be told the overall trial results.
- Written details of your exact diagnosis, cancer type and stage
- List of previous and current treatments and medicines
- Questions about benefits, risks, extra visits and what you get if you do not join
- The research team's contact number and out-of-hours advice line
- A note of who is paying for travel or extra costs, if anyone
- A trusted person to come with you to discuss the trial
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- A temperature of 38C or above, or feeling shivery, hot or cold, after trial treatment that affects the immune system
- Feeling generally very unwell, confused or unusually drowsy
- Breathlessness, chest pain or a fast heartbeat
- Severe or unusual side effects after a trial drug, including rash, swelling or difficulty breathing
- Heavy bleeding or bruising you cannot explain
- Any symptom the research team told you to report urgently
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A 'good result' from taking part can mean different things: the treatment may help you, or it may not, but the information collected still helps doctors understand the treatment. Trials are designed to answer a question, not to guarantee a benefit for each person.
It can take months or years before a trial reports its overall findings, and you may have moved on to other treatment by then. Ask the team how and when you will hear the results, and what they would mean for your care.
Whether a trial treatment continues to be available to you after the study, or becomes routine NHS care, depends on the results and on later approval by bodies such as NICE and the MHRA. The research team can explain what is planned for people who were in the trial once it ends.
Related tests, treatments or support
Trials are usually designed to fit alongside, or replace part of, your standard cancer pathway, and the research team coordinates this with your usual cancer team. Supportive and palliative care can continue alongside a trial to help with symptoms and wellbeing.
Follow-up & long-term care
While you are in a trial you are followed up closely by the research team, often more often than in standard care, with regular checks, blood tests and scans set out in the study plan. After the trial, you return to your usual NHS follow-up, and the team should tell you how you will hear about the overall results.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- You may be found ineligible after screening, even after getting your hopes up.
- You can be withdrawn if the treatment is not working or your health changes.
- You can choose to leave at any time and return to standard NHS care.
- Whether a trial treatment becomes routinely available later depends on the results and NICE/MHRA approval.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- A named research nurse or contact and a clear out-of-hours advice line.
- Close monitoring with scheduled tests and prompt management of side effects.
- Clear coordination between the research team, your usual cancer team and your GP.
- A plan for what happens, and what care continues, if you stop or finish the trial.
- Being told how and when you will hear the overall trial results.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- Genuine NHS cancer trials are free to join; the treatment and trial tests are funded by the study.
- Some costs to you may include travel and parking for extra appointments, and time off work.
- A private second opinion may be used to discuss whether a trial is suitable, which has its own fee.
- Extra scans or tumour tests needed to check eligibility are usually covered within the trial or NHS care.
- Be aware that any clinic charging a fee to 'access a trial' is a serious warning sign, not a normal cost.
- Confirmation that the trial itself is free to join through the NHS or research hospital
- Whether any travel, parking or accommodation help is available for extra visits
- If a private consultation or second opinion is involved, the fee and what it includes
- What standard NHS care remains available to you if you do not join or you leave the trial
- Who to contact for trial questions and out-of-hours advice
- A clear statement that you are never being asked to pay to access the trial treatment
On the NHS? Reputable cancer trials in the UK run through the NHS and research hospitals and are free to take part in; private access is not normally needed and you should never pay to join a genuine trial.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Being led to believe a trial is proven treatment rather than research with an uncertain outcome.
- Not having randomisation, placebo use or the alternative (standard) treatment clearly explained.
- Feeling pressured to decide quickly without written information or time to ask questions.
- Not being told about the extra visits, tests and possible costs involved.
- Not understanding that you can leave the trial at any time.
Marketing red flags
- Any clinic asking you to pay to 'access' or 'buy a place' on a clinical trial.
- Promises that a trial or experimental treatment will cure your cancer.
- 'Trials' run by a single small clinic, often abroad, rather than a research hospital.
- Pressure to decide immediately or to keep the treatment secret from your NHS team.
- Claims that standard NHS treatment is being 'withheld' from you and only this clinic can help.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.
- Is there a trial that might suit my exact cancer type, stage and previous treatment?
- What is this trial testing, and what is already known about its safety and side effects?
- Is the trial randomised, and is a placebo used? What treatment would I get if I do not join?
- What extra appointments, scans, tests or travel would taking part involve?
- What happens if the trial treatment does not suit me or my health changes?
- How and when will I find out the results, and what would they mean for my care?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the specialist who carries out my treatment, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this treatment not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Will joining a trial cure my cancer?
Do I have to pay to join a cancer trial?
How do I find a trial that might suit me?
Will I get a placebo instead of real treatment?
Can I leave a trial once I have joined?
Is a second opinion or a trial abroad worth considering?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: NIHR Be Part of Research Cancer Research UK — Find a clinical trial Cancer Research UK — Phases of clinical trials Cancer Research UK — Who can take part in a clinical trial Cancer Research UK — Alternative cancer treatment clinics (warning) Macmillan Cancer Support — Cancer clinical trials Health Research Authority (HRA) — how research is approved and governed in the UK MHRA — clinical trials for medicines: regulation and authorisation in the UK
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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