Our Mission
Puma Biotechnology is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.
Clinical Trials
ALISCA™: ALISertib in CAncer
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Joining a Clinical Trial
Looking At All Your Options
More people are joining cancer clinical trials today than in the past. The participation rate, once around 2–3%, is now estimated to be about 7.1%.1 If you’ve found one that seems like it might be a fit, it’s okay to bring it up with your oncologist, even if they haven’t mentioned it yet.
Asking about a clinical trial isn’t questioning your doctor. It’s showing that you’re taking an interest in your treatment options.
How to Start the Conversation
You don’t have to wait for your doctor to bring up clinical trials. A simple question like, “Are you familiar with this clinical trial?” is a great way to begin.
Here are a few other phrases you might use:
- “I read about a clinical trial and I was wondering if it might be a good option. Is this something we should look into?”
- “I found a study on clinicaltrials.gov. Could we talk about whether it might be a fit?”
- “Can we review whether any clinical trials are an option for my type of cancer?”
If your doctor isn’t familiar with a trial you found, that’s okay. You can look it up together online by visiting clinicaltrials.gov.2
What to Ask
To help guide the conversation, here are a few things you might want to let your doctor know that you’d like to understand as you look at the clinical trial together:
- Do you think this clinical trial might be a good option for me?
- How would being in a clinical trial affect my current treatment plan?
- What are the risks and benefits of participating?
- What else should I think about that I might need to consider when making a decision?3
Before your appointment, you may want to make a list of questions you have so you are prepared.
What If You Feel Nervous Bringing It Up?
It’s normal to feel unsure about starting this kind of conversation. Having your list of questions ready to go may help you feel more confident. You can also practice what you want to say ahead of time, either by talking it through with a friend or writing it down. Sometimes saying the words out loud first makes it easier when you’re in the appointment.
If you have a patient portal and it is easier for you, you can also share your questions with your care team before your visit. This can give your doctor time to review what you’d like to discuss.
Speaking up and asking questions is an important part of advocating for yourself. It’s also okay to bring a care partner or friend to help with the discussion and take notes if that would be more comfortable for you.
Final Thoughts
Clinical trials can be an important option for some patients. If you’ve found one that sounds promising, don’t be afraid to speak up. Your healthcare team can help you explore if it’s a match.
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1
Unger JM, Shulman LN, Facktor MA, Nelson H, Fleury ME. National estimates of the participation of patients with cancer in clinical research studies based on Commission on cancer accreditation data. J Clin Oncol. 2024;42(18):2139-2148. doi:10.1200/JCO.23.01030.
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2
U.S. National Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov Accessed October 29, 2025.
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3
National Cancer Institute, “Steps to Find a Clinical Trial,” Updated: July 25, 2025, https://www.cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials-search/steps#step-5-ask-questions Accessed October 29, 2025.
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