Most Americans Don't Trust Clinical Trials To Be Safe Enough

Even though Americans recognise the need for clinical trials for cancer research and treatment, just four in 10 have a positive image of the trials, while only one-third reveal that they want to enroll in them.

The study was commissioned by New York City's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. While every advance in cancer research started from a clinical trial evaluation, it is still a surprise that just four percent of cancer patients in the U.S. enroll in clinical trials every year.

"When it comes to advancing cancer care, clinical research is the rocket fuel for better treatments, more accurate diagnoses and, ultimately, cures," said Jose Baselga, chief medical officer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

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

Studying 1,500 adults between 18 and 69 years, it was shown that more than half the cases questioned were worried about its side-effects and safety, while just half were concerned about insurance coverage and costs as well as the inconvenience of the trial locations.

About one-third of those surveyed said they were skeptical of "unproven treatments". They explained that clinical trials make them feel like guinea pigs.

However, after reading more about clinical trials, those who have a better impression of the trials rose from 40 percent to 60 percent.

"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," said Paul Sabbatini, deputy physician-in-chief for clinical research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "For example, the vast majority of clinical trials do not involve a placebo."

After surveying almost 600 doctors, the study showed that most of them just considered clinical trials later in the treatment. About 32 percent claimed to have discussed them with patients in the early stages.

"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 said.

"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," he added.