Many Patients Don’t Take Part in Cancer Studies
Feb. 11, 2011 -- Just an estimated 2% to 4% of adults who are newly diagnosed with cancer participate in clinical trials even though there are more than 8,000 such trials that are actively recruiting. One reason is that they may not know about these trials because their doctors may not tell them, suggests a new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Of 1,522 doctors responding to a survey who treat colorectal and lung cancer, 56.7% said they had referred or enrolled at least one person in a clinical trial during the past year. Those doctors who saw more patients and who spent more time with new patients were among the most likely to refer their patients to clinical trials.
The survey was conducted by the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium.
Medical oncologists and radiation oncologists were more likely to refer patients to clinical trials than surgeons. In addition, doctors who taught medical students or residents, and who were affiliated with a Community Clinical Oncology Program -- a network for community-based physicians to partner with academic investigators -- or a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center were also more likely to refer patients to clinical trials.
“Low and slow accrual to cancer clinical trials limits the availability of state-of-the art therapies in routine clinical practice,” conclude study researchers led by Carrie N. Klabunde, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute. “Closer examination of nonparticipating physicians in these settings might identify interventions that could be used to increase their willingness to participate in clinical trials.”
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Of 1,522 doctors responding to a survey who treat colorectal and lung cancer, 56.7% said they had referred or enrolled at least one person in a clinical trial during the past year. Those doctors who saw more patients and who spent more time with new patients were among the most likely to refer their patients to clinical trials.
The survey was conducted by the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium.
Medical oncologists and radiation oncologists were more likely to refer patients to clinical trials than surgeons. In addition, doctors who taught medical students or residents, and who were affiliated with a Community Clinical Oncology Program -- a network for community-based physicians to partner with academic investigators -- or a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center were also more likely to refer patients to clinical trials.
“Low and slow accrual to cancer clinical trials limits the availability of state-of-the art therapies in routine clinical practice,” conclude study researchers led by Carrie N. Klabunde, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute. “Closer examination of nonparticipating physicians in these settings might identify interventions that could be used to increase their willingness to participate in clinical trials.”
What Are Your Cancer Risks? Take the Health Check
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