Clinical Trials Day

Held to celebrate and recognise how important clinical trials are. These trials help test new treatments, improve healthcare, and give patients access to potential new and kinder therapies. 

What is Clinical Trials Day?

Clinical Trials Day is held to recognise the patients, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and volunteers who make medical research possible. Clinical trials help test new treatments safely, improve healthcare, and give patients access to potential new therapies.

When is Clinical Trials Day? 

This year, Clinical Trials Day is on May 20, 2027.

What is a clinical cancer trial?

A clinical cancer trial is a research study that tests a new or improved way of preventing, diagnosing, treating, or managing cancer. It may compare a new treatment with the current standard treatment, or explore how to reduce side effects and improve quality of life. Clinical trials follow strict safety and ethical rules, and participants are given clear information about the possible benefits and risks before deciding whether to take part. By bringing together the children and young people’s cancer community, CCLG funds and supports innovative world-class research both nationally and internationally to drive forward improvements in childhood cancer.

Read more about clinical trials

How do clinical trials actually work?

Trials test everything from medicines to surgeries and changes to the standard of care. They are the culmination of years of research and can only happen when there is already a great deal of evidence. But how do they actually work?

Ask the expert

Jennifer Laidler from the University of Birmingham’s Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit talks about what clinical trials are and why they are so important.

Clinical trials for young people

Clinical trials are a core part of the way care is delivered for children with cancer. Treatment follows specifically designed protocols or, in a small number of cases, a national UK guideline.