• Published on: Nov 03, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Understanding Cancer Clinical Trials?

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Understanding cancer clinical trials?

Cancer clinical trials are studies that test new treatments for different kinds of cancer.

Participating in a clinical trial usually requires information about the participant's medical background, often including lab results and other health-related information. Some people who have specific types of cancers may be eligible for certain cancer clinical trials while others won't be eligible based on their type of cancer or its a stage in the progression. Different individuals will have different obstacles to get past when they want to participate in an FDA-approved trial.

Medical researchers are constantly looking for new treatments to be used against all forms of cancer because no one treatment seems to work well enough on its own. Clinical trials are only done with patients whose doctors think could benefit from them.

Clinical Trials are research studies that involve people, medical treatments, or devices. In a clinical trial, researchers find out if a new drug or treatment is safe and effective in humans. Researchers study cancer from all angles to find cancer vulnerabilities and develop improved treatments for cancer patients. Cancer prevention trials may be part of a patient’s personalized diagnosis plan as well as recommended after-cancer care following all forms of therapy. Early-stage clinical trials typically start with 20-30 participants but provide significant progress towards understanding prostate cancer significantly faster than large retrospective studies involving thousands of patients.

Currently, in the United States, clinical trials are research studies using human volunteers to understand how a new treatment might work. The purpose of these trials is not to see whether the people in them get better, but rather to collect information on what happens when people with certain types or stages of cancer are given different treatments - so that doctors can learn which treatments are likely to be most effective for patients later. Clinical trials also play an important role in developing new treatments by gathering information about how drugs perform in humans before they're approved for public use.

With advances in drug development and treatment options, clinical trial participation has become less risky over time. Clinical trials are research studies that, for people with cancer, assess the benefits and risks of various treatments. Less than 10% of clinical trials are ever published in academic journals or other health reports - so there's a good chance you'll never know about many of them if your doctor isn't aware of them!

Cancer clinical trials are conducted for the sole purpose of finding better treatments and cures for cancer, as well as helping doctors to determine which kind of treatment would be best suited to a patient's needs. The further explanation should also include: Some other examples of clinical trials include testing the safety and effectiveness of new chemotherapy drugs, blood products transfusion, and techniques such as using radiation therapy.

As we make slow but steady progress in our understanding of cancer science and its cause, we hope that one day everyone may receive an individualized treatment plan based on his or her own unique genome profile. This is possible because DNA sequencing helps scientists figure out what kinds of therapies may work best - those that target different mutations; those that use your immune system.

Clinical trials are studies of treatments that are carried out on people with cancer to see if they are safe or work better than current treatments. When treatment is designed, researchers test it first in the laboratory. They use animal models and cell cultures to determine whether it has any harmful effects. If this testing shows that the treatment might be safe for humans, then approval is sought from local ethics committees or regulatory bodies - based on internationally agreed ethical guidelines - before carrying out clinical trials using human participants who have cancer.  This usually involves giving some people the new treatment while others serve as controls, receiving either placebos (a look-alike drug) or old treatments.

A clinical trial is a process where new treatments and medications that may or may not work on cancers are researched. The next step is to test the treatment and medication on cancer patients. This process can take years before we find out if it works perfectly.

There are 2 types of cancer clinical trials: traditional (sometimes called Phase I/II) trials and Phase III trials (often called "testing" or "Phase III testing"). Traditional phase cancer clinical trial lets doctors understand how the body reacts to a particular drug; it also helps them make sure that people who participate in this type of study don't have any harmful effects from taking part in the study. Phase III clinical trials are the "final step" of testing before a drug is released for public use. Conducted on many more people than Phase I or II, these clinical trials are designed to demonstrate that the new drug has the same benefits as already proven drugs and few side effects. Phase III concludes with the application of stringent standards for safety and efficacy before approval by regulatory authorities for general use.

A small number of patients may be involved in follow-up studies after they have undergone treatment to provide additional information about how safe it is under real-world conditions. A new medication can't be marketed until it has passed this key stage in the approval process, but once approved it can then be prescribed by doctors everywhere.

A clinical trial is a research study that compares one or more treatments (therapies) to determine which treatment is the most effective. The goal of a clinical trial is to find better methods for preventing, diagnosing, and treating health problems. Clinical trials are not done with all cancers. They focus on cancer types such as breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, or prostate cancer because they don't know what will happen when developing the new treatment together with other types of cancers.

Cancer clinical trials are scientifically controlled studies of treatments or prevention. They test new forms of treatment for cancer and gather information about their safety and effectiveness.

A clinical trial is a study that involves volunteers to try out medication, look at problems, or answer questions that will help doctors choose the best treatments for patients. "Clinical" means relating to medicine and "trial" means an attempt by someone to find out if something works. Clinical trials are very important because they tell scientists what different types of medicines can do in people who have diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), emphysema, or Parkinson's disease."

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Mental health issues in Indian elderly

Mental Health Issues in Indian Elderly: A Growing Concern Often Overlooked

India’s senior population is growing faster than ever before. By 2050, one in five Indians will be above 60 years of age - a remarkable demographic shift. But behind this silver lining lies a silent crisis: mental health among India’s elderly.

The Hidden Struggle Behind Aging

Old age brings wisdom, but also biological and emotional challenges. Retirement, loss of loved ones, financial dependency, or health decline can trigger mental distress. Yet, these issues often go unnoticed because families mistake them for “normal signs of aging.”

According to the National Mental Health Survey by NIMHANS, nearly 20% of India’s elderly experience mental health issues, especially depression and anxiety. In rural areas, the situation is worse due to lack of awareness and healthcare access.

Common Mental Health Problems in Indian Seniors

  1. Depression - Often triggered by loneliness, bereavement, or chronic illnesses. Signs include low mood, hopelessness, loss of interest, or changes in appetite and sleep.
     

  2. Dementia - A progressive decline in memory and cognition, often misinterpreted as forgetfulness. India has over 5 million dementia patients, projected to double by 2050.

  3. Anxiety & Sleep Disorders - Worries about health, finances, or safety cause insomnia, irritability, or constant tension.

  4. Substance Use - Some elderly turn to alcohol or sedatives to cope, worsening mental health.

  5. Psychosomatic Disorders - Emotional pain often manifests physically - headaches, fatigue, or chronic pain without clear medical cause.
     

Cultural & Social Roots of the Crisis

India’s traditional joint family system once offered emotional security. But with urbanization and migration, many elders now live alone or in old-age homes. The HelpAge India (2024) survey found that 47% of elderly Indians feel neglected by their families, and 36% experience loneliness regularly.

Moreover, stigma remains strong - elders hesitate to discuss “mental illness” for fear of being labeled weak or burdensome.

Health System Challenges

Despite national programs like NPHCE, access to geriatric psychiatry or counseling is still limited. Less than 10% of primary healthcare centers have a trained mental health professional.

However, initiatives like Tele-MANAS (2023) - India’s national mental health helpline (14416) - are bridging the gap by providing free counseling and referral support through phone and telemedicine.

Steps Toward Better Elderly Mental Health

  1. Regular Screening: Routine depression and cognitive checks during health visits.

  2. Community Programs: Local NGOs, senior clubs, and faith groups can provide social support.

  3. Family Awareness: Encourage open dialogue, empathy, and daily engagement.

  4. Physical Activity: Even gentle yoga or morning walks improve mood and sleep.

  5. Digital Inclusion: Teach seniors to use smartphones for connecting with family or online therapy platforms.
     

The Role of Platforms Like SecondMedic

SecondMedic integrates mental wellness and teleconsultation for senior citizens - offering easy video counseling, medication delivery, and home diagnostics. Elderly patients can book sessions without traveling long distances or waiting in clinics, ensuring comfort and privacy.

Conclusion

Mental health in India’s elderly isn’t just a medical issue - it’s a social one. Aging should bring peace, not isolation. Recognizing emotional distress, breaking stigma, and encouraging conversation can transform how we care for our elders.

A healthy heart and body mean little without a healthy mind. Let’s make sure our elders live with dignity, purpose, and connection.

Help your loved ones find care from the comfort of home - Book an online mental wellness consultation on SecondMedic today ? https://www.secondmedic.com

 

Real Data, Surveys & Links

  • National Mental Health Survey (NIMHANS, 2023): 15–20% elderly with mental disorders.
    nimhans.ac.in

  • HelpAge India Report 2024: 47% of elders feel neglected by families.
    helpageindia.org

  • National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): Govt. initiative for senior health.
    nhp.gov.in

  • Tele-MANAS Helpline (MoHFW, 2023): 14416 - free national mental health line.
    mohfw.gov.in
     

Dementia India Report (AIIMS & ARDSI, 2024): 5.3 million affected, projected to double by 2050.
ardsi.org

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