Research into Cancer in Childhood

During your stay on the ward or during your visit to clinic, your doctor or the research nurse may discuss research with you.

This leaflet will give you more information about what to expect and the types of research you might be asked about.

What to expect

If you are asked to join in a research study, you will be given written information about the study and time to discuss it with either the doctor or the research nurse.

If you would like to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form. You do not have to take part and if you choose not to, your child’s care will not be affected in any way.

If you change your mind, you can withdraw at any time.

Any information provided for research will usually be anonymised; which means that nobody will be given your child’s name or know that your child is taking part.

Some people are concerned that being involved in research always involves giving extra samples, this is not the case. If extra samples are required you will be informed before you decide to take part.

What type of research are we involved in?

Treatment trials: Assess which is the best treatment for a particular condition.

Observation studies: Provide information about treatment given and what happens to children during and after treatment.

PK studies (pharmacokinetics): Taking blood samples to help us learn more about how drugs work. Some studies enable us to optimise drug dosages.

Genetics studies: Help us find out more about the causes of cancer.

Quality of life studies: Provide information about how treatment impacts on a child’s everyday life.

Off treatment studies: Look at how children are getting on after they have had treatment.

Tissue banking: Enables left over tissue from surgery to be saved for use in research in the future.

Biological studies: Develop new techniques to help with diagnosis and follow progress.

Psychological studies: Look at the effect of treatment on emotions and feelings.

Who organises the research?

Some of the research projects are run only in Cambridge.

Others are national studies with several hospitals throughout the UK participating. Some of these involve other countries around the world as well.

How to contact the research nurses

If you would like to talk to the research nurses you can phone the research office on 01223 348223 or you can ask your nurse to contact them.

For more information

Taking part in clinical trials- CCLG website (opens in a new tab)

Be part of research- NIHR website (opens in a new tab)

Find a clinical trial- CRUK website (opens in a new tab)