Clinical Trials
A clinical trial is a new treatment or medicine being offered to patients. The new treatment (for example a new chemotherapy drug) will have been extensively tested to ensure it is safe for use, and will be being offered to test how well it works in treating the cancer.
Thanks to pioneering and innovative medics and researchers, clinical trials for head and neck cancers are growing more common. So far, Throat Cancer Foundation staff have visited research units all across the UK to see, first hand, some of the trials that have occurred. Every drug you will be offered in your treatment will have undergone clinical trials at some stage, so these are really signs of potentially ground-breaking new treatments.
CAN I TAKE PART IN A MEDICAL TRIAL?
If you wish to take part in a medical trial, you should discuss it with your medical team. Your doctors will be able to advise you whether it will be appropriate or beneficial to you.
Seeing a specialist
If you’ve been referred to a specialist they will often perform further tests to help them determine what is causing your symptoms.
Understanding your diagnosis
If you do receive a cancer diagnosis, your medical team will explain the next steps. Several factors will determine the course of treatment recommended to you.
Who will treat you?
If you are diagnosed with cancer you will have a dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who will be responsible for planning, implementing and managing your care.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is perhaps the treatment people most associate with cancer. ‘Chemo’, as it’s sometimes known, involves treating the body with chemicals in order to destroy the cancerous cells.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is treatment through radiation. High energy beams of radiation are directed at the cancerous tumour with the aim of destroying it.
Surgery
Depending on the type of cancer and other factors, you may have surgery to treat it.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
This section talks about the recovery process after treatment for cancer.
Get in touch
If you’d like to get in touch with us – call 0203 4754 065 or email hello@throatcancerfoundation.org. We’ll always get back to you as quickly as we can, but if you’re struggling to cope it may be helpful to talk to someone immediately. Visit the ‘Support’ area for some options.