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Clinical Trials
What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a type of research study where people volunteer to
participate in investigating new ways to prevent, diagnose, treat or manage
cancer.
Clinical trials must follow rules set by Health Canada, the research ethics board
(REB) and the hospital/clinic where the research is taking place. The REB for
the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General Hospital is the
Queen’s University Health Sciences & Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research
Ethics Board .
If you have any questions about your rights as a research subject please contact
- Dr. Albert Clark, Chair of the REB at (613) 533-6081.
Why Might My Participation in Clinical Trials Be Important?
You may be able to have access to the newest cancer treatments that are not yet
available to other Canadians. Although there is no guarantee, it is possible
that you may benefit from participating and may help future patients with
cancer.
The information collected during a clinical trial may help to determine if the
new drug or treatment is safe and effective. The standard cancer treatments
used today were developed and tested in clinical trials years ago.
What Should I Expect?
Taking part in a clinical trial is completely voluntary. You cannot be coerced
or influenced into participating or continuing to participate. You may choose
not to take part or may leave the study at any time without any penalty or loss
of benefits to which you are entitled. Your doctor can discuss further
treatments with you and continue to treat your cancer with the best means
available.
Before you decide to volunteer to participate you must be fully informed of all
aspects of the clinical trial. This important process is called informed
consent. A copy of the printed informed consent must contain all information
required by federal regulations and the REB. This includes details
about the treatments, visits and tests required, potential benefits, risks/side
effects, how your personal information will be kept confidential, to the extent
permitted by law, who to contact if you have questions. At all times during
your participation in the clinical trial your rights, safety and well-being
will be protected.
You will be given plenty of time to review the informed consent form, ask
questions and decide whether or not you would like to participate. Once you
have agreed to participate a copy of the signed and dated informed consent will
be given to you and steps required to determine if you are eligible to be
enrolled in the clinical trial will take place.
For Additional Information on Clinical Trials visit the Canadian Cancer Society
What Clinical Trials Are Available at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario?
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, it is suggested that
you discuss this with your oncologist. Please
click to view our available trials.
The Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General Hospital is a
member of multiple cooperative clinical trial groups (see Clinical Trial Links
below) and we do all phases of clinical trials, including phase I, II, III and
prevention trials. Clinical trials are constantly opening and closing.
Contact Us at (613) 544-2630
External Clinical Trial Links
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