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What is oncology?
Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on cancer. Cancer itself is not a single disease. It is a family of more than 100 diseases, from breast cancer and lung cancer to blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. What they share is the same basic problem: cells that grow and divide without stopping. About 4 in 10 people in the US will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime.
Cancer research moves faster than almost any other field of medicine. Cancer drugs made up about 35% of all new FDA drug approvals in 2025, 16 new medicines in one year. The 5 year survival rate for all cancers combined reached 70% for people diagnosed in 2015 to 2021, a first in US history. And survival for metastatic (spread) cancer has doubled since the mid 1990s, from 17% to 35%. Every one of those gains came through clinical trials.
Who can participate in oncology trials?
Every cancer trial sets its own rules, and in oncology they are usually specific. Most studies recruit around three things: your cancer type, your stage, and your treatment history. Many newer trials also require a biomarker, a specific mutation or protein found by testing your tumor, because modern cancer drugs often target one molecular change. Some trials enroll only newly diagnosed patients, others only people whose cancer has returned. Studies increasingly welcome older adults and people from communities that have been underrepresented in cancer research, because results need to reflect everyone who actually gets cancer. Eligibility always varies by study.
Do oncology trial participants get paid?
Some studies offer compensation for time and travel, and study related care is typically provided at no cost to participants. Compensation varies by trial and is always described during the informed consent process before you agree to anything.
Curious whether clinical trials pay participants? Here's how compensation actually works.
Types of cancer clinical trials
Oncology clinical trials are designed to address different aspects of cancer care, including how to treat cancer, prevent it, find it early, or improve the quality of life for people with cancer. The main types are:
Treatment trials
Treatment trials test new treatments or new combinations of treatments, such as new drugs, new surgical techniques, or new radiation therapies. The goal is to find more effective ways to treat cancer with fewer side effects.
Prevention trials
Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent cancer in people who have never had cancer or to prevent cancer from returning. These trials may include studying medicines, vaccines, vitamins, minerals, or lifestyle changes.
Screening trials
Screening trials test the best way to detect cancer, especially in its early stages. These trials study new examinations or tests that might be more effective, safer, or less invasive than the current standard screening methods.
Quality of life trials for cancer survivors
Quality of life trials (or supportive care trials) explore ways to improve comfort and the quality of life for individuals with advanced cancer and cancer survivors. They may study issues such as managing side effects of treatment, physical, psychological, and social side effects of cancer and its treatment.
The stages of cancer, and why they matter for trials
Most solid tumors are described with a stage from 0 to IV, based on the TNM system: how large the tumor is (T), whether lymph nodes are involved (N), and whether it has spread, or metastasized (M):
- Stage 0. Abnormal cells are present but have not spread anywhere. Often called carcinoma in situ.
- Stage I. A small tumor that has not grown deeply or spread.
- Stage II and III. Larger tumors, or cancer that has reached nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
- Stage IV. Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. Also called metastatic cancer.
Blood cancers like leukemia use different systems, since there is no single tumor to measure. The practical point for trial seekers: almost every cancer study names the stage it enrolls, right in the title ("locally advanced," "metastatic," "resectable"). Knowing your stage tells you at a glance which studies fit you. Many of the most active research areas, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy, run trials built specifically for stage IV patients.
How to enroll in a clinical trial for cancer
Enrolling in a cancer clinical trial through our platform is a straightforward and user-friendly process. Here's how to get started:
- Identify Your Trial: Use our intuitive search bar or filter options to locate clinical trials specific to your cancer type. This first step simplifies the process of finding relevant research studies tailored to your needs.
- Select Your Preferred Location: To find trials conveniently located near you, simply input your preferred location into the dedicated filter bar on the left-hand side of the page.
- Explore Study Details: For in-depth information about each study, simply click the “Learn More” button. This will provide you with comprehensive details about the trial, including objectives, procedures, and eligibility criteria.
- Complete the Health Profile: After clicking on the “Get started” button you will be taken to our efficient 5-step application process to provide important health information. This helps us match you with the clinical trial that best fits your needs.
- Submit the Application: After completing the application, send it in. A clinical trial coordinator will review it and contact you regarding the possibility of participation.