Am I a guinea pig?

No. A guinea pig has no say and no protection. You choose whether to join, and you can leave whenever you want. An independent committee had to approve the whole thing before you were even asked.

You are also followed more closely than in ordinary care, because the trial schedule requires it. That closer follow-up is a genuine benefit, though it is not a promise that you will do better.

Written by two physicians. Checked against patient information from the US National Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK.