What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial can help show whether a treatment works and is safe. In a randomised control trial, one group of people is given the new treatment, and the other group is given the existing standard treatment. Researchers compare the results to work out which treatment works better, is safer and is more cost-effective.
Evidence from clinical trials and personal stories
Clinical trials for complementary therapies often involve small groups of people with specific cancer types, such as breast and prostate. This can make it hard to know whether the trial results apply to other cancer types. Personal stories (anecdotal reports) are based on individual experiences and observations, and are not proven. This makes them less reliable than scientific evidence from clinical trials.
Research into complementary therapies
Funding for clinical trials or research into the effectiveness and safety of complementary therapies is limited. Because complementary therapies are popular in Australia, the NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University was established to support research in this area.
Some health professionals, universities and hospitals also run clinical trials and do research. Your hospital or support group may offer opportunities for you to take part in one of these.
Questions to ask before joining a clinical trial
Before joining a clinical trial for a complementary therapy, ask the clinical trials team and your cancer specialists about:
- what tests you may have
- whether it affects your conventional treatment
- any risks of side effects
- whether the trial has ethics approval
- any costs that you may have to pay.
Complementary therapies and conventional treatment trials
Keep in mind that using some complementary therapies may mean you can’t join a clinical trial for conventional cancer treatment. This is because clinical trials have strict criteria about what other medicines and supplements you can take while you are receiving the trial medicines. Your trial team will need to know about any complementary therapies you are taking to check that they are allowed during the trial.
Making an informed decision
Talk to your specialist or cancer care team to get a second opinion. If you decide to take part in a clinical trial, you can withdraw at any time.
For more information, visit Australian Cancer Trials or see Clinical trials and research.
How to assess online information
The source – Is it reputable? Have you seen it before? Is it clear who runs the website? Check the “About us” section.
The reviewers – Has the content been reviewed by experts with qualifications specifically related to cancer?
The date – When was it reviewed? It should be in the last 2–3 years.
The claims – Is the website promoting a “miracle cure” or selling something? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check with your doctor before trying any new therapy.
→ READ MORE: The role of exercise and nutrition
If you’re reading a website and have an emotional response, it’s likely to have an offer at the bottom of the page. It will be eliciting a reaction to try to sell you something. Actual scientific research is very bland and unemotional.
TANYA, NATUROPATH
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
