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Only 4 in 10 Americans Would Participate in Clinical Trials

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Only four in 10 Americans have a good impression of clinical trials, a new study says. In addition, the survey also says that just one-third of Americans would be likely to enroll in a clinical trial.

The survey, approved by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, states that these findings show a cause for concern, as nearly every advance made in cancer was first evaluated in a clinical trial. The study also showed that previous data has found that only 4% of cancer patients in the USA enroll in clinical trials annually.

“When it comes to advancing cancer care, clinical research is the rocket fuel for better treatments, more accurate diagnoses and, ultimately, cures,” Dr. Jose Baselga, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer at the Cancer Center says.

If this trend of low enrollment continues, we will face a crisis in cancer research and discovery. Further education is the key to participation and progress.

More than 900 cancer clinical trials are currently ongoing at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

The survey had over 1,500 adult participants between the ages of 18 and 69. When asked about their reluctance to join clinical trials, more than half of the participants said they were worried about side effects and safety. Half of them expressed concern about insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs. Close to half said the inconvenience of trial locations, or receiving a placebo instead of an active treatment drug, were hindrances. Around one-third of the participants said they were skeptical about unproven treatments while a similar percentage said clinical trials would make them feel like guinea pigs.

After being given information about clinical trials though, the number of respondents with a positive impression increased from 40% to 60%.

Dr. Paul Sabbatini, Deputy Physician-in-Chief for clinical research at Memorial Sloan Kettering, says, “While concerns regarding clinical trials are understandable, it is critical that the cancer community address common myths and misunderstandings around issues like effectiveness, safety, use of placebo, and at which point in treatment a trial should be considered. For example, the vast majority of clinical trials do not involve a placebo.”

The study likewise included a survey of close to 600 doctors who have discussed clinical trials with their patients. There are many clinical trials available for patients in early phases of treatment, but 56% of doctors said they considered clinical trials only late in treatment and 28% discussed clinical treatments as “a treatment of last resort.” Just 32% of doctors said they had discussed clinical trials with patients in early treatment.

“Failing to consider clinical trials at every stage of cancer diagnosis and treatment can represent a significant missed opportunity, primarily for patients, as well as for doctors and researchers trying to develop better therapies,” Sabbatini says. “It’s critical that we spread the word: Clinical trials offer our best thinking toward finding better ways to prevent, treat and cure cancer, and there are options for patients and their families to consider early on in treatment.”

 

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