PATIENT & CAREGIVER LIBRARY

Cancer Clinical Trials: Search, Eligibility & Cost Help

Find cancer trial search assistance and learn what to ask about eligibility, recruitment, costs and travel.

Talk to someone

National Cancer Institute — Cancer Information Service

CALL800-422-6237 EMAILNCIinfo@nih.gov

Cancer information service · U.S. nationwide

Free; English and Spanish phone information.

Find your next step

Build a useful trial inquiry

Have the cancer subtype, stage, biomarker results, prior treatment and current location ready. Save the trial identifier and site contact with each potential match.

Confirm the actual opening

A registry entry does not guarantee a place. Ask the study site whether it is recruiting your patient group, whether a slot is available and what tests determine eligibility.

Ask about costs before consenting

Request a written explanation of research versus routine-care costs, insurance billing, travel, lodging and companion expenses. Ask how frequent visits will be and what happens if you stop participating.

Program contacts and access

U.S. nationwide

NCI — clinical trial search help

Information specialists can help you navigate cancer trial searches and discuss questions to take to the study team.

800-422-6237 NCIinfo@nih.gov

Eligibility and cost: Search assistance is not enrollment or a recommendation for a particular treatment.

How to start: Have your diagnosis, stage, biomarkers, prior treatments and travel limits ready. Contact the trial site to confirm recruitment and actual eligibility.

Sources and program details

Source review date: 2026-09-09. Confirm current availability directly.

Official source 1

View program and application ↗

U.S. nationwide

NCI — paying for clinical trials

Explains the distinction between research costs and routine patient-care costs.

Official contact and application

Eligibility and cost: Confirm program eligibility and availability directly.

How to start: Ask the study coordinator for a written breakdown of sponsor payments, insurance billing, travel and other out-of-pocket expenses before consenting.

Sources and program details

Source review date: 2026-09-09. Confirm current availability directly.

Official source 1

View program and application ↗

Find Resources

Cancer Patient Resource Center

How to Use This Guide

Start with the oncology social worker or patient navigator. External organizations set their own eligibility and availability, and an application does not guarantee assistance. Use the official links below and confirm details before sharing documents or making plans.

Independent-resource disclosure: Sunridge Medical is not affiliated with, endorsed by or paid by the external organizations listed unless specifically stated.

Quick-Start Checklist

Collect pathology, stage, biomarkers, prior treatments and current medicines.
Ask the oncologist which trial question fits the treatment decision.
Search more than one registry and contact the study site directly.
Confirm whether the trial is recruiting and whether a slot is actually available.
Separate research costs from routine care, travel and lodging costs.
Take time to review consent and alternatives; participation is voluntary.

Resource Directory

Search by organization or need. All program details remain readable even if the interactive filter is unavailable.