clinical trials and second opinions

[Enterprise27]

I would be interested in hearing peoples’ views on the efficacy of clinical trials and also how easy it was to get a second opinion and how long did it take to see a consultant oncologist.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Enterprise27

Hope you hear from others in the forum on their experience. There is some useful information on second opinions from Macmillan Support: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

It can vary from health boards how long it will take for a second opinion, you can request this either through your GP or oncologist, and ask how long this should take.

With clinical trials, and as with all cancer treatment, some people respond better than others and one of the end points to clinical trials is to evaluate the statistical response rate along with any adverse events. However, progress in cancer treatment is dependent on good clinical trial data.

If you would like to view open clinical trials for lung cancer, you can do so through these two links:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

and

bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team