Cancer research and clinical trials

A cancer research study helps us improve our understanding of cancer risks and find better ways to detect and treat different types of cancer.

Our research teams collaborate with our doctors and other health care professionals to turn their findings into improved care for people with cancer. They also quickly share new or updated protocols with cancer specialists throughout Kaiser Permanente. That way, our patients benefit from the most advanced treatment as soon as possible. And we share our findings beyond Kaiser Permanente, which helps improve care for everyone in the broader community.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to volunteer for a research study. Each study has unique eligibility requirements. Your doctor can help you decide if there’s one that’s right for you.

Our large member population is ideal for researchers. It allows them to tap into a diverse range of anonymous data to advance their studies. Our many board-certified specialists also lead their own studies and can consult and partner on research. This collaboration helps advance research quickly, and successes are put into practice faster to help improve our cancer care.

We’re also part of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). This program takes clinical trials to local communities as well as academic settings. By bringing the trials closer to where participants live, NCORP aims to better reflect the diversity of the U.S., which could help reduce cancer disparities among different groups. 

Check out these videos to learn more about NCORP’s commitment to making clinical trials more accessible. And watch a Kaiser Permanente investigator explain why these efforts are so important.

Here’s some more information on the progress our researchers have made for 2 of the most common types of cancer:

• Breast cancer research
• Colorectal cancer research

If you’re interested in getting involved in our cancer research, here are some ways to get started:

• Talk to your doctor about research studies specific to your condition. Your doctor can help determine your eligibility.
• Join the Kaiser Permanente Research Bank. Help drive medical breakthroughs by becoming part of one of the largest biobanks in the country. Just complete a brief health survey and provide a blood sample. Our researchers will use your anonymous information in their cancer research.

Not every patient chooses to participate in research. Your doctor can help you understand your options. And you’ll never be signed up for a study without your knowledge and consent.

A cancer clinical trial is a research study designed to improve treatment for people with cancer.

Clinical trials give patients with cancer access to cutting-edge treatment and medications in a safe environment. Before patients start a new treatment, it’s studied in a laboratory. The doctors who conduct clinical trials follow a carefully designed treatment plan protocol. Protocols outline what will be done in the trial and the research questions it will try to answer. They also help protect participants’ health.

In the case of new cancer medications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires several rounds of clinical trials before they approve any drug to become available to the public. Each trial lets researchers better understand the effects of a medication on different groups of people. This helps them create treatments that work for a more diverse range of patients.

People participate in clinical trials for different reasons. For some, a clinical trial offers a possibility of relieving symptoms or finding a cure. For others, it helps them actively participate in their treatment program — while also helping advance treatment for future patients. Each clinical trial has specific guidelines about who can take part.

Learn more about how clinical trials work.

Like our other research studies, our clinical trials benefit from Kaiser Permanente’s large membership and the diverse communities we serve. We’re able to include patients of many different ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our clinical trials. This helps us determine the effects of a new treatment or medication on an extremely wide range of patients.

We hold clinical trials in specific regions and for certain types or stages of cancer. As a Kaiser Permanente member, you may be eligible for one of our clinical trials. Keep in mind that taking part in a clinical trial may not always benefit you directly. But the results can contribute to helping other people with the same condition.

Check out our clinical trial frequently asked questions.

The decision to volunteer for a clinical trial is a personal one. We recommend you talk to your doctor, family members, and friends before you decide.

If you're interested in joining a clinical trial, talk to your cancer care team. Your doctor will help find out if there’s a trial that may be right for you.

Not every patient chooses to participate in a clinical trial. Your doctor can help you understand if a clinical trial makes sense as an alternative to standard treatment. And you’ll never be signed up for a trial without your knowledge and consent.

Before starting a research study or clinical trial, you’ll get an informed consent document. It explains the details of the study and the possible risks and benefits. It also outlines your rights and responsibilities.

A member of the research team will then meet with you. This gives you a chance to talk about the study and ask any questions. Then you can make an informed decision about whether to take part. During the study, you always have the right to ask questions. You also have the right to stop participating at any time.

If you’re thinking about taking part, here are some questions to ask the research team to help you make an informed decision:

• What’s the purpose of the study?
• What kinds of tests and treatments will be used?
• What are my other options for treatment?
• What side effects can I expect?
• How long will the study last?

An institutional review board (IRB) approves and tracks most clinical trials in the U.S. IRB committees include doctors, statisticians, patient advocates, and other community members. Their goal is to make sure each study is ethical and the risks as low as possible.

An IRB can stop any study that seems to be causing unexpected harm to participants. It can also stop a study early if there's clear evidence the new treatment is effective. This helps researchers make treatments available as soon as possible to people outside of the study who may benefit.

Kaiser Permanente conducts all research studies in compliance with regulatory and ethical guidelines. Each study has oversight by our regional IRBs and compliance groups. Your local research center can help if you have any questions about your participation.

Our research teams work out of 8 regional research centers and the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. Each facility leads local programs in support of our major cancer research initiatives. They also support members involved in our research studies, as well as their families.

Explore your local research center to learn more about the researchers and cancer studies in your area:

• Northern California Division of Research
• Southern California Department of Research and Evaluation
• Colorado Institute for Health Research
• Georgia Center for Research and Evaluation
• Hawaii Center for Integrated Health Care Research
• Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute
• Northwest Center for Health Research
• Washington Health Research Institute