Cancer research is the key to progress against cancer. There are four major types of research: basic, clinical, epidemiological, and translational.
Basic research: These studies allow scientists to learn how cancer cells grow and divide and build the foundation for further discovery.
Clinical research: There are two main types of clinical research studies: observational studies and clinical trials. Observational studies collect and analyze data from people over a long period of time, while clinical trials involve treatments or care approaches that may change the results for a person with cancer.
Epidemiological research: The study of the patterns, causes, and effects of cancer in a group of people of a certain background.
Translational research: A research approach that moves across research disciplines, from basic lab research into clinical settings and from clinical settings into everyday care.
Cancer research drives progress with your help. Research studies allow scientists to learn more about cancer, and with this new knowledge, scientists can work with health care professionals to provide better cancer care and support. These studies are typically free and participants are given the chance to review all the possible risks and benefits through the informed consent process.