Randomization is a process used in some clinical trials to
prevent bias. Bias occurs when a trial's results are affected by
human choices or other factors not related to the treatments
being tested. Randomization helps ensure that unknown factors do
not affect trial results. Randomization is used in all phase III
and some phase II trials. These trials are called randomized
clinical trials. If you participate in such a trial, you will be
assigned by chance to either an investigational group or a
control group. Your assignment will be determined with a
computer program or table of random numbers. - If you are
assigned to the control group, you will get the most widely
accepted treatment (standard treatment) for your cancer. - If
you are assigned to the investigational group, you will get the
new treatment being tested. Comparing these groups to each other
often clearly shows which treatment is more effective or has
fewer side effects. If you are thinking about joining a
randomized clinical trial, you need to un