Lung cancer clinical trials

When a person is diagnosed with lung cancer or faces a treatment decision, it is important to explore all options. Clinical trials are research investigations in which people volunteer to test new treatments as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage a disease or medical condition¹.

Some trials look at how people respond to a particular treatment and what side effects might occur. This helps determine if it works, if it is safe to use, and if it is better than the treatments that are already available¹. A trial might also compare existing treatments, test new ways to use or combine existing treatments or observe how people respond to other factors that might affect their health (such as dietary changes)¹.

People participate in clinical trials for a number of reasons and some of the key benefits include:

• Accessing the newest treatments that are currently not widely available.
• Gaining a better understanding of their disease and helping others in the future.
• Playing a more active role in their own healthcare.
• Receiving additional care from the clinical trial staff.

Clinical trials offer hope for many people who may have exhausted a number of other options already available to them. Participation in clinical trials drives innovation and best practice in healthcare, and generates the evidence needed to aid in decision making. If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, the first step is to answer the question – is a clinical trial right for you? Find out if there is something suitable to your situation and what is involved. It is recommended you have this discussion with your specialist.

The TOGA is a thoracic oncology trials group operating in Australia and New Zealand. TOGA seek to bring together clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals, researchers, and patient advocates to conduct high quality, clinically relevant research in order to improve outcomes for patients living with thoracic cancers.