Research
Research is a step-by-step process that involves collecting and examining information. Research into Neuroendocrine Tumours is vital to improve our understanding of the disease and how it can be treated, and aims:
- To understand what causes NETs
- To understand how NETs form
- To formulate more effective diagnostic scans and tests
- To discover new treatment options, and to ensure that current treatments are being implemented to provide the best therapeutic benefit
Neurocendocrine Tumours are a less common form of cancer, and there are small teams of dedicated medical professionals around the country who treat patients every day. It is important that these specialists are allocated the resources to carry out research within their units, so that our understanding of this disease and how to treat it continues to grow.
A lot of research studies are carried out by NET specialists in their clinics. In clinical trials, patients agree to try new therapies (under careful supervision) in order to help doctors identify the best treatments with the fewest side effects.
If you want to take part in a clinical trial, you should discuss this with your specialist, who will know whether you are eligible.
Please be aware that all studies are run on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria for the safety of the patients. You may not be eligible, which can be frustrating, but no medical professional is able to influence any decisions based on these criteria.
If you have been asked to take part in a clinical trial, and would like to discuss it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
No one should ever include you in a clinical trial without asking you. A doctor, nurse or other researcher will ask your permission, and they can’t enter you into the trial if you don’t give your consent.
To help you decide whether you want to take part, the researchers should tell you all about the study:
- what it is trying to find out
- how you will be treated
- what you will have to do.
