Former patients can contribute their experiences to cancer research; course registration is open until April 10.
Two patients discussing the new StudienHelfer program and the opportunity to share their own experiences. Copyright: umg/ronald schmidt
According to the Robert Koch Institute, more than half a million people in Germany are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. Clinical trials are a central component of modern cancer medicine: they enable the development of new therapies and the improvement of existing treatments. Nevertheless, relatively few patients have participated in clinical trials to date, often due to a lack of information or uncertainty regarding the process, benefits, and risks. This is where the new StudienHelfer program from the Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony (CCC-N) comes in.
Course Structure and Registration
The StudienHelfer program is aimed at former cancer patients, their relatives, and interested individuals, and aims to involve those affected more closely in clinical research and actively utilize their experiences. The course lasts approximately two months and takes place primarily online, supplemented by two in-person sessions in Hanover and Göttingen. Participants must be willing to attend regularly and show an interest in actively engaging with those affected or in study planning after the course ends. Participation is free of charge; registration is required by April 10, 2026. All information is available at: www.ccc-niedersachsen.eu/studienhelfer
Participants will gain fundamental knowledge about clinical trials and learn how to support other patients with questions and how to incorporate their perspectives into the planning of new trials. In doing so, they make an important contribution to more patient-centered cancer research. The modular program covers, among other things, the basics of clinical trials, trial designs, and treatment modalities, as well as patient safety and ethical and legal frameworks. The program is complemented by insights into the decision-making processes of study participants, patient involvement in research, and practical aspects of study development.
The CCC-N brings together the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and the Hannover Medical School and is one of 14 leading oncology centers in Germany funded by German Cancer Aid.
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