CLEVELAND -- Clinical trials for new experimental drugs are helping many people fight diseases such as colon cancer, the second most deadly form of cancer in the U.S.

NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth reported how clinical trials of these drugs that took place in Cleveland helped a local man reclaim his life from cancer.

Nine years ago, Phil Harrell was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, the kind most people don't survive.

"So I told my doctor, 'Let's try some radical stuff,'" said Harrell. "'My body will respond better to that. Let's try it, that's all we can do is just try it.'"

Since then, Harrell has been in numerous trials for new drugs, conducted at Cleveland's University Hospitals.

But he's in the minority -- only 3 percent of all cancer patients nationwide are willing to take part in clinical trials.

Dr. Jim Willson oversees clinical trials at University Hospitals says it is very hard to get cancer patients to participate in trials.

"People don't realize that the best treatments are often participation in clinical trials," said Willson.

Willson has watched Harrell closely throughout the many clinical trials, and says that he has a better quality of life because of his willingness to try drugs not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Harrell's contribution to medical research has not been easy. But in return, he has gained access to the newest treatments for colon cancer, a longer life, and the satisfaction of knowing his participation is helping others.

Clinical trials are not for everyone, but they are worth asking your doctor about if you are newly diagnosed with cancer or know someone who is.

For more information about clinical trials or colon cancer, call University Hospitals at (800) 641-2422.

For more information on colon cancer, click here.