Cancer Clinical Trials: Experimental Treatments and How They Can Help You

James Metz, MD
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Author: Robert Finn
Publisher: O'Reilly
ISBN: 1-56592-566-1

OncoLink Rating:

Cancer Clinical Trials is a book that empowers cancer patients to critically evaluate research studies for which they may be eligible. It encourages patients to seek out and consider clinical trials for the treatment of their cancer. The book does not review or recommend any specific trials, but instead it educates the reader to help them make informed decisions. The author states "...this book will give you the tools you need to find and evaluate clinical trials for your particular type of cancer any time you need that information."

Robert Finn is a freelance science writer with many publications to his credit. He leaves no stone unturned in this extensive analysis of each stage of the clinical trials process. The book is organized so it can be read straight through or the reader can just review the chapters that interest them. The text is easy to read and all scientific terms are well defined in understandable vocabulary. The book guides the reader through the unfamiliar territory of clinical trials so the cancer patient is prepared for every step of the process.

Cancer Clinical Trials encourages the cancer patient to critically evaluate every step of the clinical trials process. The book contains important questions to ask your doctor when considering specific trials. The various categories of clinical trials are discussed fully with advantages and disadvantages of each trial explained.

Cancer Clinical Trials is highly recommended by OncoLink for any cancer patient. The book is well written and concise. Every patient considering a clinical trial will find this book valuable.