For Patients
Providing you and your family access to the latest in cancer care
What is a Clinical Study or Trial?
Cancer patients around the world are living longer today because of new treatments. Those treatments are available because patients agreed to take part in clinical studies years ago. Those studies proved that the treatments worked better than what was available at the time.
Clinical trials, sometimes called clinical studies or research studies, allow cancer patients to get the newest, most advanced treatment possible. The goal of clinical trials is to find better or safer treatments for patients.
These studies are the key to changing cancer survival rates in our region by allowing researchers to make sure that patients get the best treatment now and in the future. By taking part in a clinical study, you are making a difference.
The Gulf South Clinical Trials Network provides you with convenient access to National Cancer Institute clinical studies close to home. By bringing together the leading cancer care providers in the Gulf South, we offer these studies at more than 40 convenient locations throughout our region.
The Gulf South Clinical Trials Network is bringing access to the latest in cancer studies and treatments right where you live.
Before the network, many patients would have to travel out of state to be part of a study. Now, those same treatments and trials are available much closer to your community, through the partnership of leading health care and research organizations.
Find a Clinical Study
Use this tool to search the current studies available in the Gulf South region.
Search Now
The Gulf South Clinical Trial Network is bringing access to the latest in cancer studies and treatments right where you live.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
Taking part in a clinical trial is always your choice. It does not affect the quality of care you get from your doctor. You can also choose to leave a study at any time.
-
A clinical study helps researchers and doctors better understand how to prevent, treat or diagnose certain cancers. When you take part in a study, you’re helping provide information they need to fight cancer. Some studies involve taking medication, while others may just collect information.
-
No. If you’ve already seen a cancer specialist, you’ll continue to see that doctor for your ongoing cancer care. You may even be eligible for a study that’s offered in the same location or near where you live.
-
Each study has different guidelines, but If you’re eligible for a study, your doctor can explain the details before you decide if you want to participate. You’ll be asked to follow the steps the researchers outlined for that study.
-
In most cases, health insurance policies or even independent research funding will cover all or part of the costs associated with a clinical study. If you don’t have insurance, the State of Louisiana has resources that can help.
-
Your doctor and/or a clinical study administrator can decide if you’re eligible to take part in a study. It can depend on your stage and type of cancer, your age, and other things determined by the study’s research team.
-
Your doctor can talk to you about any risks involved with a study before you decide if you want to participate. All the risks and benefits of a study are clearly outlined, so you can make the best decision.
-
Yes. Your doctor can help you decide if participating in a study is right for your type of cancer. While taking part in a study is entirely optional, it sometimes can bring benefits that wouldn’t be available otherwise.
The network is bigger than the partner institutions and even the studies themselves. It’s about caregivers, patients, families and how their stories of courage and hope define our community.
