Scope of the War on Cancer

Every cancer patient alive today who has received standard of care treatment should thank a volunteer who, just a few years ago, was brave enough to sit in a chemotherapy chair and undergo experimental treatment in a clinical cancer research trial.   Every approved cancer treatment today is based upon the results of these past clinical research trials. Your cancer survival is a direct result of these “pioneers” and “heroes”.

Cancer affects us all.  Recent data from the SEER database show that half of all American men and a third of all American women will develop cancer during their lifetimes.  Cancer is replacing cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S.; in fact, 1 in 4 deaths are a result of cancer.  In addition to loss of life and loved ones, the financial impact of cancer is staggering as well.  Of the estimated 1.3 million cancer patients diagnosed yearly in the U.S., over half will die.  These new patients represent over $150 billion dollars per year, in both direct costs and indirect costs such as lost wages, etc.  Since 1990, research funding has tripled to $23 billion dollars per year (70% from private industry); or $17,700 research dollars spent for each newly diagnosed cancer patient.  Sadly, only 3% (39,000 patients) of cancer patients participate in trials, or each trial participant relatively utilizes $590,000 research dollars from the $23 billion spent yearly on their behalf.

From the patient’s perspective, 97% of cancer patients do not enroll in trials to get access to cutting edge research.  When I hear patients complain that not enough is being done for cancer research, I strongly agree.  Not enough cancer patients are aware of trials and/or they are choosing not to participate. 

American cancer patients are not aware of the war on cancer.  Our federal government, pharmaceutical industry, and philanthropists are spending billions of dollars for patients to receive access to cutting edge experimental cancer drugs.  Although money cannot relieve the shock of being diagnosed with cancer, it is encouraging to know that $590,000 U.S. research dollars are realized by your individual participation in a trial.  Despite this investment, metastatic (spread to other organs) cancer remains incurable for most people.   Even if the entire world’s scientists and funding focused totally on cancer research, it will never be cured without patient volunteer participation in clinical trials.  

Understanding clinical trials is paramount to every cancer patient who desires access to cutting edge research.  Clinical trials represent the best opportunity to advance the standards for cancer care, but progress is hindered by low trial enrollment.  Most cancer patients are innocently unaware of clinical trial options.  Due to lack of U.S. trial participation and patient misperceptions, drug discoveries in the lab are not entering clinical trials fast enough, and new cancer drug development is now faster outside of the U.S.