Our Research

Research benefits generations to come
Research benefits generations to come

What is a clinical trial?

While cancer treatments may already be effective, doctors engaged in clinical research strive to develop even better treatment solutions for patients with gynaecological cancer. A clinical trial is a formal assessment or a research study in which patients, doctors and researchers help find ways to improve health care. Clinical trials are designed to answer specific questions and find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat medical conditions, including cancer.

Cancer trials test new treatments or interventions, including new drugs, including chemotherapy agents, new surgical approaches, new supportive care techniques, new vaccines, gene therapy techniques and alternative medicines.

They may also investigate prevention methods, such as medicines, vitamins, minerals, or other supplements that doctors believe may lower the risk of a certain type of cancer. These trials look for the best way to prevent cancer in people who have never had cancer, prevent cancer from recurring or stop a new type of cancer occurring in people who have already had cancer.

Other research areas include screening trials, which test the best way to find cancer, especially in its early stages, quality of life trials (also called supportive care trials), which explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients and epidemiological studies which look at factors affecting the health and illness of populations, help identify risk factors for disease and determine optimal treatment approaches to clinical practice.

Cancer research can provide direct benefits to trial participants by providing up to date care, close monitoring and the opportunity to benefit from a new treatment option. Participants will also contribute to knowledge and progress.

Clinical Trial Guidelines

All clinical trials conducted by QCGC research are approved by Human Research and Ethics Committees (HREC) and also comply with international good clinical practice guidelines. Prior to enrolment, all patients participating in our research are provided with information about the research study, risks and benefits, and rights and responsibilities of the participant so that they can make an informed decision regarding their participation.

All clinical trials must undergo thorough examination by a Human Research and Ethics Committees (HREC) before they are legally able to commence. It is the responsibility of the ethics committee to ensure:

  • the trial is scientifically useful
  • the trial has a balance of risks and benefits
  • the hospital and research staff are competent and qualified to fulfil the requirements of the trial
  • patients are protected and the trial itself does not impact the participant’s quality of life
  • patient information is secure.

Please note that any patients wishing to participate in a trial need to first discuss their situation with their medical practitioner, who can provide advice on options available to them.