Misperceptions About Cancer Trials

With all of the protections and potential advantages offered to trial participants, why don’t more adults enroll?   In a 2001 survey of nearly 6,000 cancer patients by Harris Interactive, (www.harrisinteractive.com) 85% of respondents said they were not even aware that participation in a trial was an option.  Being unaware is never the patient’s fault.  Most oncologists did not discuss clinical trials as an option.  In retrospect, 75% of these cancer patients said they would have been willing to enroll, had they known it was an option.  Of the 16% of cancer patients who were aware of a trial option, three out of four declined due to misperceptions about trials.  Four misperceptions were cited.  1.  Medical treatment would be less than the standard of care.  2. Placebo in place of effective treatment.  3. Feeling like a “guinea pig.”   4.  Insurance company would not cover costs.   Patients who did participate in trials were also polled and 97% said they were treated with dignity and respect, and would rate their care as “excellent” or “good”.  Overall, 93% described their experience as positive, and 82% did not feel like “guinea pigs.”   Each misperception can be dispelled by individually addressing them.