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Clinical Cancer Research

An alarming number of cancer patients say they were never told or didn't know about the possibility of enrolling in a clinical trial for their treatment, a survey of nearly 6,000 cancer patients conducted via the Internet found. According to the Harris Poll, about 85% of those surveyed were either unaware or unsure that participation in a clinical trial was an option, though about 75% said they would have been willing to enroll had they known it was a possibility.

"Most patients simply do not know about clinical trials that could help them," notes Robert Comis, president of the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, which conducts clinical trials for the National Cancer Institute. "Clinical trials represent the very best care we have to clinical trial really is."

Of the 16% of cancer patients who were aware of the clinical trial option. three in four actually turned it down, citing one or more of the following reasons: They thought the medical treatment they would receive in a clinical trial would be less effective than standard care; they might get a placebo; they would be treated like a "guinea pig"; and their insurance company would not cover costs.

The vast majority of those surveyed who did participate in a clinical trial said their overall experience was positive. Ninety-seven percent felt they were treated with dignity and respect and that the quality of care they received was "excellent" or "good." More than 80% indicated that they did not receive more tests than they felt were necessary, and 86% had their treatment covered by insurance.

Typically during a clinical trial, patients are randomly assigned to either a control group where standard therapy is given or the test group, where the new treatment is used. A team including doctors, nurses, and other health caew professional evaluate a patient's health at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions for participating in it, monitor any changes in health status, and conduct follow-up once the trial is complete.

Patients who are treated during a clinical trial are monitored systematically and carefully throughout their treatment. Monitoring is performed at the site where the patient is being treated as well as centrally in the organization that is sponsoring the trial. This extensive monitoring is designed to ensure that the patient receives appropriate dosing, has the treatment adjusted based upon side effects encountered, and stays within the set clinical trial protocol. In addition, audits of records are performed to assure the sponsoring organization that the doctors administering the treatment are abiding by the protocol. Individual patients have the right to discontinue treatment in a clinical trial at any time.

Clinical trials are often the best hope people have when faced with life-threatening diseases. Health experts agree that, if additional patients enrolled in them, more safe and effective drugs would be made available much sooner--in some cases, many years earlier.

Reasons People Participate in Clinical Trials

76%   Feel they'll have access to best-quality care
72%   Do it for the benefit of future patients
63%   Feel they'll receive newer/better treatment
40%   Feel they'll receive more care and attention
20%   Their health insurance pays for the trial

EDITOR'S NOTE: Percentages add up to more than 100% because most respondents cited multiple reasons for participating.

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