Clinical trials are a powerful way to access the latest in breast cancer care, and they are available to cancer patients at many phases point in their care journey, even before starting standard-of-care treatments.?Results from clinical trials can help move new treatment options forward, lower the risk of recurrence, and minimize side effects. ?Many All current standards of care only exist because people before us?participated?in groundbreaking clinical trials. Clinical trials are not just for advanced disease — they can be offered at many points along the treatment journey and play a critical role in improving outcomes and reducing side effects.
To learn more about clinical trials, visit the websites below:
National Cancer Institute: Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research
- Susan G. Komen: Clinical Trials Overview
- Cancer?Mythbusters:?Cancer Clinical Trials Dana Farber [Podcast]
- Breastcancer.org: Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Explained
- DanaFarber: Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Overview (Video)
- UCSF: Clinical Trials
Types of Clinical Trials:
Unfortunately, patients are not always?told?informed about the option of a clinical trials before key treatment decisions are made and, therefore, may miss out on potentially beneficial treatment options. Researchers seek to enroll trial participants for prevention studiesThere may be trials available for you, at the time of diagnosis (before surgery), before or after chemotherapy or radiation, during endocrine therapy, and after treatment ends, for survivorship studies.
Trial types:
- Screening, prevention, and early detection trials: Studies that look at ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer, find cancer earlier when it may be easier to treat, or focus on individuals with a higher genetic or hereditary risk (such as BRCA or other inherited mutations).
- Treatment trials (new drugs or combinations): Studies that test new medicines or combinations of medicines, including dosage, to determine whether they improve outcomes, have fewer side effects, and/or are safer than current treatments.
- De-escalation trials (less chemo, shorter radiation): Studies that explore whether patients can receive less treatment while still achieving the same positive outcomes.
- Precision medicine (biomarker-driven) trials: Studies that assign treatments based on specific genetic or molecular features of a tumor rather than cancer type alone.
- Immunotherapy trials: Studies that evaluate treatments designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Device and procedure trials: Studies that test new surgical techniques, radiation approaches, or medical devices.
- Supportive care and quality of life trials: Studies that focus on improving comfort, managing side effects, and enhancing day-to-day well-being during or after treatment.
- Surveys and registry trials: Studies that track health outcomes over time to improve future care and better understand the long-term effects of different treatments.
Read more about types of trials:
- Four Things to Know About Clinical Trials
- Recent Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer Research
- When is De-escalating Systemic Therapy Appropriate?
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Clinical Trials
Talking with your doctor early on about whether there is a clinical trial she or he might recommend that is available for your specific circumstances is an excellent way to start exploring your options.
- Susan G. Komen: Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials?
- MSK: Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Clinical Trials
Last Modified on July 14, 2026