Real-Life Barriers to Clinical Trials & How to Get Help

Here are five common barriers and along with some ways to get help:

1. Clinical Trial Costs

Even though the treatment in a clinical trial is usually covered, other costs may add up.² This might include:

• Gas, parking, or subway/bus fare
• Meals during long clinic days
• Travel to a hospital that’s far away³

What can help: Ask your clinical trial team if there is help available to reduce these costs. Some clinical trials may be able to reimburse you for things like travel, which may include mileage, tolls, rideshares/taxis, airfare, hotel stays, meals, or parking.³ It’s okay to ask. You could ask a question such as, “Are there any reimbursements or support programs to cover some of the costs related to this clinical trial?”

2. Daily Responsibilities

Life doesn’t stop for treatment. Some people worry about:

• Childcare during appointments⁴
• Leaving pets at home⁵
• Missing work⁴

What can help: Talk to the clinical trial coordinator before signing up. If childcare is a concern, you can ask whether the hospital or local organizations have resources that might help. You can also ask whether anyone on your care team can point you toward local support resources for other needs or information about taking time off work.

3. Trust in the Healthcare System

It’s normal for people to have questions or feel unsure about joining a clinical trial, sometimes because of personal experiences they have had in healthcare or things they’ve heard.⁶

What can help: It’s always okay to ask questions and expect clear and understandable answers. You have rights as a participant, and you are in control of your decisions. Every clinical trial has an Informed Consent form that explains what’s involved.⁷ Take your time reading it, and don’t be afraid to ask about anything that feels unclear.

Information That Can be “A Lot”

Clinical trial information may sometimes include complicated medical terms.

What can help: Ask the clinical trial team to help explain medical terms you don’t understand or other things you need help understanding.

You can also check out reputable sources such as the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health. Nonprofits like the American Cancer Society, BreastCancer.org, or GO2 for Lung Cancer also provide information about clinical trials.

5. Fear of Being a “Test Subject”

Some people worry they’ll be treated like an experiment.⁶

What can help: You have rights in a clinical trial. You will never be treated without your permission. You may also leave a clinical trial at any time.⁷ If you decide to stop taking part in a clinical trial, it will not affect the care you receive outside of the clinical trial.⁸

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about a clinical trial but feel unsure, you’re not alone. Many people have questions. There are often resources to help or someone to answer your questions.

It’s important to understand your options so don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor.

MRC-US-ALI-00106 10/25