Facilitating Clinical Trial Participation

Facilitating Clinical Trial Participation

Clinical trials are crucial to discover new therapies, procedures and other treatments in medicine.1 Today, many people are living longer after successful cancer therapies as a result of clinical trials.1-3 Many promising treatments for cancer are in development. Clinical trials are used to evaluate whether a new treatment is effective, safe and better than existing standard treatments.1,3 All new treatments must be tested in clinical trials before gaining approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).3 It can take years to complete cancer clinical trials, as much time may be required to see if a treatment has its intended effects.3

Engaging Patients to Participate in Clinical Trials

Many patients who participate in clinical trials hear about it from their oncology provider.6 Participating in a trial has potential benefits and risks, with highlights of each summarized below:

Provider-patient conversations about potential enrollment in a clinical trial are not always easy; experts recommend a sequenced approach, beginning with a patient’s understanding of their diagnosis, followed by the current best proven treatment and then the possibility of a clinical trial.7

When discussing a clinical trial with a potential participant, consider communication techniques such as7:

  • Present information while avoiding medical jargon and a long list of medications and side effects
  • Encourage patients to ask questions and share their thoughts and feelings
  • Review how cancer treatments have improved over time due to clinical research and patient participation in trials
  • Evaluate options outside a clinical trial and explain how the trial is different from current standard treatment
  • Emphasize that trial participation is voluntary and withdraw can occur at any time

Trial Resources

Clinical trials are available for patients with all types and stages of cancer.8 However, only 3% to 6% of patients with cancer who are eligible for clinical trials participate.9

Oft-used resources to find general cancer clinical trial listings include6,10:

Lists of clinical trials can also be found by searching websites for cancer advocacy groups, such as cancer.net; pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; and cancer centers across the US.6,10

References

  1. National Institutes of Health. Research & Training. Clinical Trials. Last reviewed on August 20, 2015 https://www.nih.gov/research-training/clinical-trials
  2. National Cancer Institute. Clinical Trials Information for Patients and Caregivers. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials
  3. American Cancer Society. Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/clinical-trials/what-you-need-to-know.html
  4. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Deciding to Join a Clinical Trial. https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/clinical-trials/deciding-to-join-a-clinical-trial.html
  5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Frequently Asked Questions about Clinical Trials. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials/frequently-asked-questions#what-are-the-potential-benefits-of-participating-in-a-clinical-trial-
  6. American Cancer Society. Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know. Finding a Clinical Trial. Last Revised: August 18, 2020. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/clinical-trials/what-you-need-to-know/picking-a-clinical-trial.html
  7. National Institutes of Health. NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Talking to Your Patient About a Clinical Trial. https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/talking-your-patient-about-clinical-trial
  8. National Cancer Institute. What Are Clinical Trials? https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/what-are-trials
  9. Cancer Research Institute. Cancer Clinical Trials. https://www.cancerresearch.org/cancer-clinical-trials
  10. National Cancer Institute. Steps to Find a Clinical Trial. Reviewed February 8, 2022. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/search/trial-guide

All URLs accessed February 9, 2023

Pin It on Pinterest

Directory
Scroll to Top