Reality: Clinical trial participants can leave a trial for any reason, at any time. Before joining a clinical trial, you’ll be asked to sign an informed consent form, which outlines the details of the trial. It’s not a contract, though—even after you sign it, you can leave the trial at any time.

Reality: When you’re considering participating in a clinical trial, it is important to think about how much time you are willing to spend and to get a sense of how many site visits will be required, how long the trial will run, etc. Some trials may require just a few site visits without any overnight stays, while others may be more time-consuming. Some trials even allow you to provide information remotely through an electronic device, for example, or offer transportation to and from the study site so the trial will fit better in your schedule.

Reality: Clinical trials can offer an option for those who have exhausted other therapies, but they can also be an option at any point after your diagnosis. Any time you’re not happy with your current treatment, a clinical trial may be a way to access a therapy that may work better or to receive more personalized medical care. Some people also choose to participate because they’re motivated to help move research forward.

Reality: Many clinical trials do not use placebos; some compare a potential new therapy against an already approved therapy. Participants who do receive a placebo still receive personalized, quality care from top doctors as part of the study.