Free Patient Guides & Clinical Trial Checklists

Four Guides · Interactive & Print-Ready

Choose Your Checklist

Tick items as you go. Click "Print / Save as PDF" to take a copy to your appointment. Your progress is saved in this browser session.

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Clinical Trials

Bring this list to your next appointment. Tick each question as you discuss it.

About Whether a Trial is Right for Me

Am I eligible for any clinical trials for my type and stage of cancer?Ask specifically about your cancer subtype, any biomarkers or mutations identified, and the line of therapy you are at.

What would I miss out on if I join a trial instead of receiving standard treatment?Understand the trade-offs between the investigational therapy and what is currently approved.

What is the chance that I would receive a placebo (no active drug) in this trial?Many oncology trials are single-arm (all patients receive the drug). Ask if there is a control arm and what it involves.

Can I stop the trial and receive standard treatment if I change my mind or if the trial drug stops working?You always have the right to withdraw from a trial at any time.

Is this site experienced with this type of trial, or would I need to travel to another centre?

About the Treatment Itself

How is the investigational drug given — by infusion, injection, or tablet?This affects how often you will need to come to the clinic.

How often would I need to come in for treatment and monitoring visits?

What are the most common side effects in patients who have received this drug so far?

What are the serious side effects I should watch for, and who do I call if I experience them?Make sure you get an emergency contact number for out-of-hours side effect queries.

Are there any dietary, activity, or medication restrictions while I am on the trial drug?

Will the trial involve extra scans, biopsies, or blood tests beyond my usual care?

About Costs and Practicalities

Will the trial drug be provided at no cost to me?In most sponsored trials, the investigational drug is free. Ask about co-pays for standard-of-care tests or visits.

Are travel costs, parking, or accommodation covered or reimbursed?Ask about the site's or sponsor's patient travel support programme.

Will I still be able to see my regular oncologist during the trial, or does all my care transfer to the trial site?

What happens to my care after the trial ends — especially if the treatment is working?Ask about compassionate use or expanded access options if you respond well.

How will I know if the treatment is working?Ask about how often scans are done and how response is measured in this specific trial.

Before I Sign the Consent Form

Can I take the informed consent form home to read and discuss with my family before signing?You are never required to sign on the same day. Ask for time to consider.

Is there a plain-language summary of this trial I can take home?Ask if the site has a patient-friendly version of the study summary.

Who is the study coordinator I can contact with questions after today?Get a direct name and phone number — not just a general line.

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Biomarker Testing Discussion Guide

Understanding your tumour's molecular profile can open doors to targeted treatments and trials. Use this guide before and after biomarker testing.

Before Testing — Questions to Ask

Has my tumour been tested for any genetic mutations or biomarkers yet?If not, ask whether your tumour type is one where biomarker testing is recommended before starting treatment.

What type of testing is recommended for my cancer — tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy (blood), or both?

Which specific biomarkers will be tested — and which ones are most relevant to my tumour type?Common markers include EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, MSI-H, TMB, PD-L1, and BRCA1/2 depending on cancer type.

Is comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) available for my tumour type — and would it be more useful than single-marker tests?CGP tests hundreds of markers at once from a single tissue sample.

Will my insurance cover biomarker testing, or is there a cost I need to plan for?

How much tissue or blood is needed, and will the sample from my original biopsy be enough?

After Testing — Understanding Your Results

Can you explain my biomarker test results in plain language — what was found and what it means?

Does my result qualify me for any approved targeted therapies I am not already receiving?

Does my result make me eligible for any clinical trials testing drugs targeting this biomarker?

Are there any mutations found that are not currently targetable but that I should know about for future trials?

Should I be retested if my cancer progresses or if I start a new line of therapy?Tumours can evolve — a resistance mutation may develop that opens new trial options.

Should I consider referring my case to a molecular tumour board or precision oncology specialist?

Can I get a copy of my full biomarker test report to keep in my personal medical records?

Hereditary Considerations

Do any of the mutations found suggest a hereditary component — and if so, should my family members be tested?Germline BRCA mutations, Lynch syndrome, and others may affect first-degree relatives.

Should I speak with a genetic counsellor?

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Clinical Trial Preparation Checklist

Once you have decided to join a trial, use this checklist to prepare for your screening visit and first treatment cycle.

Before Your Screening Visit

Gather all recent medical records: pathology reports, scan reports, surgical notes, treatment summariesAsk your regular oncologist's office for a copy if you don't have one.

Bring a complete list of all current medications — prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, vitamins, herbal remediesSome supplements and herbal products can interact with investigational drugs.

Bring your insurance card and any prior authorisation documentation your insurer provided

Confirm the address and parking at the trial site — and plan your travel time

Bring a support person — screening visits can be long (2–4 hours) and involve a lot of information

Prepare your questions in advance using the "Questions for Your Oncologist" checklist in this guide

Do not eat or drink (other than water) for the hours before your screening blood tests if instructedThe site will tell you if fasting is required — confirm in advance.

During Your Screening Visit

Read the Informed Consent Form (ICF) carefully — ask for clarification on anything you don't understand before signing

Take a copy of the signed ICF home with you — you are entitled to one

Get the study coordinator's direct name and phone number

Ask how and when you will be informed whether you passed screening eligibility

Ask what happens if you are screen-failed — whether there are other trials or what the next step is

Getting Ready for Cycle 1 (First Treatment)

Confirm any pre-medications required (e.g., antihistamines, steroids before infusion) and when to take them

Arrange transport — you may not be able to drive yourself home after your first infusion

Know the 24-hour emergency number for reporting serious side effects

Start a treatment diary: note dates, doses, how you feel, side effects — useful for your care team

Inform your primary care doctor and any other specialists that you have joined a clinical trial, and share the protocol name or number

Ask whether travel reimbursement or assistance is available and how to claim it

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Caregiver Support Guide

For family members and caregivers supporting someone through an oncology clinical trial.

Understanding the Trial

Ask the care team to explain the trial in plain language — you have the right to ask questions too

Ask for the patient-facing trial summary or ICF to read at homeUnderstanding the protocol helps you notice and report side effects accurately.

Know the name and dose of the investigational drug, and any other drugs being given on the trial

Understand the visit schedule — clinic days, scan days, and any home monitoring required

Save the study coordinator's number and the 24-hour emergency line in your phone

Practical Support Tasks

Help keep a diary of treatment dates, side effects, and any changes in how the patient feelsA written log is valuable during visits — the care team relies on accurate patient-reported information.

Coordinate transport to and from clinic visits, especially on infusion days

Help manage medications: know what is taken daily, what is taken as needed, and what to avoid

Know what emergency symptoms require calling the trial team immediately vs. going to the ERCommon red flags: fever above 38°C / 100.4°F, severe shortness of breath, unusual bleeding, confusion, severe rash.

Help track and submit any patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires the trial requires

Assist with travel reimbursement claims — keep all receipts from trial-related travel

Emotional & Wellbeing Support

Let the patient lead decisions about their care — your role is to support, not to decide

Acknowledge uncertainty honestly — it's okay to say you don't know the outcome, and that you will face it together

Ask if the trial site has a social worker, patient navigator, or psycho-oncology service you can both access

Prioritise your own health and rest — caregiver fatigue is real and can affect the quality of support you provide

Connect with caregiver support groups — online communities for specific cancer types often have caregiver forums

Consider asking for help from friends or family for specific tasks — meals, transport, errands — rather than trying to manage everything alone

If the Trial Ends or the Patient's Condition Changes

If the trial drug stops working or the patient wants to withdraw, ask what the next care options are

Ask whether the trial team can assist with referrals to other trials or specialist centres

Ensure all trial-related documentation is kept — it may be needed by future treating physicians

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Patient Guides &Clinical Trial Checklists

Choose Your Checklist

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Clinical Trials

Biomarker Testing Discussion Guide

Clinical Trial Preparation Checklist

Caregiver Support Guide

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Patient Guides &
Clinical Trial Checklists