Clinical trials information
Visit the clinical trials section of our website for patient information about clinical trials including patient stories, a free booklet and access to Cancer Connect – a telephone peer support program for people considering participating in a clinical trial.
Learn more
Clinical trials play a critical role in answering questions about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as improving psychological, supportive and palliative care outcomes.
Thanks to the health professionals and community members that have conducted or participated in clinical trials, as well as the funders of this research, we have achieved major improvements in overall survival and quality of life for people affected by cancer.
Despite this, recruitment of patients in clinical trials remains an ongoing challenge for the Victorian cancer sector. This is particularly difficult amongst:
- underserved groups including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations
- people from rural and regional areas, and
- those of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Cancer Council Victoria is committed to:
- increasing investment in clinical trials
- improving awareness and access for all Victorians, and
- diversifying cancer research.
We work collaboratively with government and the healthcare sector to help patients access clinical trials that may help them to live well and live longer.
“There’s good evidence that as an overall cohort, patients who go on clinical trials have better outcomes than patients who are not on clinical trials”
- Dr Dishan Herath, Head of Cancer Services, Western Health.
Read more
Victorian Cancer Trials Link
Our Victorian Cancer Trials Link (VCTL) is a publicly available, searchable online database and mobile app of cancer clinical trials being conducted in Victoria, including those run out of rural and regional hospitals.
Healthcare professionals and people affected by cancer can enter specific information about diagnosis and treatment history and be matched with a suitable clinical trial to participate in.
The VCTL was first developed in 2009 and is updated regularly with the help of clinical trial units across the state. If you’re a health professional and would like to add a trial or correct any information on the website, please contact us.
Search VCTL
“What I found good about this is, that when you’re sitting there trying to absorb all these trials and technical terms and everything from the doctors, the site meant you could just read about it in layman’s terms.” - Klarissa. Read more
Resources for health professionals
The Victorian Cancer Trials Link houses a vast range of information and support resources for health professionals, as well as education opportunities, clinical trials data reports and more.
VIsit VCTL for health professionals
We offer a range of free information and resources to help patients understand clinical trials. You can download PDFs now or can order physical copies to be sent out to you using the button below.
Order resources
Clinical trials reporting
With support from the Victorian Government, Cancer Council Victoria has monitored clinical trial activity and recruitment in Victoria for more than three decades.
Readily accessible and reliable data on the breadth of clinical trials is an important tool for the sector to inform access to clinical trials for people affected by cancer.
Our latest report ‘Reflecting on six years of clinical trial activity and access in Victoria (2016-2021)’ contains data from 37 Victorian clinical trial units that reported data through the Cancer Trials Management Scheme (CTMS) annually from 2016 to 2021.
During this time, 10,105 people with cancer participated in cancer treatment clinical trials in Victoria.
Read our latest clinical trials report
“The opportunity to get a better quality of life, the opportunity of extending your time here with friends and family – I think a lot of people would take that chance to take part in a trial.” - Greg
Changes to clinical trial data collection
Beginning 2023, Cancer Trials Australia will assume responsibility for collecting cancer clinical trial data with the continued support of the Victorian Government.
With the recent implementation of a customised software solution, Clinibase, Cancer Trials Australia will reduce the administrative burden associated with how we collect state-wide cancer clinical trial data and improve how it is reported to the sector.
This platform will also support enhanced internal site reporting, including meeting new requirements under the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework.
We fully support this change and look forward to working closely with Cancer Trials Australia to progress this transition.
Find more information in our FAQs
Policy and advocacy
Currently, less than 6% of Victorians diagnosed with cancer each year, participate in clinical trials for their cancer treatment. Many barriers exist including limited awareness from clinicians and the public, limited systems and available data, and inequities in accessing clinical trials.
Cancer Council Victoria is committed to improving participation and reducing inequities in access to cancer clinical trials in Victoria.
Read more about our policy and advocacy work
Get support
Call the Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20 to talk to a cancer nurse and get the support you need.
It’s free, confidential, and available for anyone affected by cancer – those diagnosed as well as their family, friends, and carers.
Contact cancer support