A practical guide for patients and carers
How to find and save cancer trials with Cancer Trials Made Clear
Start with what you know. You can explore the records without knowing every medical term on a report.
1. Choose a cancer type
Choose a cancer type on the homepage and optionally add your UK postcode. Open “More filters” to search a treatment name or trial number, or to refine the results. Leave optional fields blank when you are unsure; using more filters can hide records you might want to discuss.
2. Add a marker if you know it
Under “More filters”, “Test result from your cancer report” includes genes, receptors and other markers across cancer types. These are sometimes called tumour markers. Choose the name from your report, or use “Another marker or exact report wording” for a variant that is not listed. The custom field searches the supplied phrase. If it returns little, try the gene name alone.
Search one marker at a time. A mention does not mean a match: the marker could be part of an exclusion, a test or a particular group within a study. Read the source wording and check the exact result with the care team. You can leave this field on “Any / not sure”.
3. Check where the trial is running
The search uses the United Kingdom by default. Read the hospital information in each result. An optional postcode search estimates straight-line distance where location information is available. This is not travel time. Site details and local recruitment information can be missing, so confirm availability directly with the trial team.
4. Read the record and load more results
Open a trial to see its explanation, entry criteria, locations and listed contacts. Where available, we show the study team’s ISRCTN plain-English summary. Otherwise we say that no plain-English summary is available in the information received. Tap the underlined terms or phase label for an explanation. Original technical wording is kept separately so you can check the source. Each result links to the original record so you can check context and updates.
Searches begin with a batch from each selected registry. Use “Load more trials” when more records are available. The source counts explain what has been checked. No search here covers every possible study.
5. Save a shortlist for an appointment
Select “Save” on a useful record. Your shortlist stays in this browser, and you can share a link, download a shortlist file or print the records with questions for an appointment. Refresh saved details before relying on older records.
- What is this study investigating, and why might it be worth discussing in my situation?
- Which entry requirements need checking against my diagnosis, previous treatments and test results?
- Which UK hospital is accepting referrals, and who should my care team contact?
- What treatment, tests or samples would taking part involve?
- Are groups assigned by chance? Could I receive a placebo, and what treatment would each group receive?
- Would I need to stop, delay or change my current treatment? What are my alternatives?
- What are the known risks and side effects, and who should I contact if I feel unwell?
- How often would I attend, could I stay overnight, and are travel or other expenses covered?
- Can I stop taking part, and what would happen to my care and data if I do?
- What happens when the study ends? Is follow-up or continued access to treatment available, and how can I hear the results?
These questions are included when you print your shortlist.
Understanding trial phases
What is a trial phase?
A phase describes a step in testing a treatment. It is not a cancer stage or a promise of benefit.
- Phase 1: studies dose and side effects.
- Phase 2: looks for signs that a treatment works and continues to check side effects.
- Phase 3: compares approaches in a larger study.
- Phase 4: studies a treatment after approval.
Some studies combine phases; others do not have a treatment phase.
NCI: how trials work ↗Our explanatory wording is awaiting independent clinical review.
Common questions
Does “recruiting” mean I can join?
No. Recruitment status describes the registry record. Personal eligibility, availability at a hospital and the relevant study group still need checking with the teams involved.
What if there are no results?
Try fewer filters, a broader marker name or a different term from your report. Check whether a source failed to load, and retry if needed. You can also explore the linked registries and UK research websites directly. No results does not establish that there are no relevant trials.
Can I start again without losing saved trials?
Yes. “Clear results” resets the search and filters while keeping your shortlist. Clicking the Cancer Trials Made Clear logo also returns you to the homepage.
Read about Cancer Trials Made Clear and its limitations. Your treating team and the trial team are the people to assess whether a study could be suitable.
Start a trial search