Major pharmaceutical companies continually research and develop new medications and treatments, which must be shown to be safe and effective before doctors can prescribe them to patients. Through melanoma/skin cancer clinical trials, researchers test the effects of new medications on a group of volunteers with melanoma/skin cancer. Following a strict protocol and using carefully controlled conditions, researchers evaluate the investigational drugs under development and measure the ability of the new drug to treat melanoma/skin cancer, its safety, and any possible side effects.

Some patients with melanoma/skin cancer are reluctant to take part in clinical trials for fear of getting no treatment at all for their melanoma/skin cancer. This is simply not true. Patients with melanoma/skin cancer who participate in melanoma/skin cancer clinical trials receive the most effective therapy available for the melanoma/skin cancer -- or they may receive melanoma/skin cancer treatments that are being evaluated for future use. These melanoma/skin cancer drugs may be even more effective than the current melanoma/skin cancer treatment.

In addition, melanoma/skin cancer clinical trials are no-cost alternatives and are usually accompanied by free medical evaluations as part of the clinical trial.

The following web sites offer information and services to help you find a melanoma/skin cancer clinical trial that is right for you.

TrialCheck

This web sit, developed by the nonprofit Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, is an unbiased cancer clinical trial matching and navigation service enabling patients to search for cancer trials based on disease and location.

National Cancer Institute

This web site lists more than 6,000 cancer clinical trials, and explains what to do when you find one that you think is right for you.

ClinicalTrials.gov

This web site offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for cancer.

CenterWatch

This web site lists industry-sponsored clinical trials that are actively recruiting patients.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on July 25, 2008