The following bullets are ideas you may consider using if you are developing an article for Clinical Trials Awareness Month. These points may be useful in writing articles for the general public, patients, or health professionals. Health care professionals have unique opportunities to share information with the clients they serve. Throughout the year, it is important to discuss the benefits of cancer clinical trials with patients, and the February observation of Clinical Trials Awareness Month serves as a reminder to do so.

• February is Clinical Trials Awareness Month in the Michigan Cancer Consortium Initiative.

• Major advancements in cancer prevention and clinical treatment invariably are the result of clinical research.

• Clinical trials provide the mechanism to transfer knowledge and innovations from the laboratory bench to the bedside, compare current treatment options, and promote excellence in the practice of oncology.

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• Although the benefits of clinical research have been documented and promoted for years, the participant enrollment statistics for these trials continue to be very low.

• It is estimated that only 2 percent to 3 percent of cancer patients are recruited to participate in treatment clinical trials.

• Physician biases may be the most important factor in determining whether a patient enters a clinical trial.

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• Another major obstacle to recruitment is providers’ fear of losing patients once they join a clinical trial.

• Eligible patients may refuse to participate in trial studies. Patients and their families typically do not understand the nature of clinical trials and the randomization process.

• Other barriers to clinical trial utilization include a lengthy, complex informed consent process and third-party payer reimbursement issues.

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• Despite efforts by the National Cancer Institute and national patient advocacy groups to increase awareness of clinical trials as possibly the best treatment option for a patient, the proportion of cancer patients who participate in trials still remains extremely low.

• The Michigan Cancer Consortium has developed a strategic action plan focused on six major areas that influence participation in clinical trials:

  • Physician/provider bias

  • Trial design

  • Patient/public attitudes

  • Access to trials

  • Minority issues

  • Coverage issues

  The plan includes strategies and initiatives designed to encourage partnerships among all segments of the community that have a vested interest in better cancer outcomes.

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• For more information about becoming involved in the Michigan Cancer Consortium’s effort to improve clinical trial recruitment, call us (toll-free) at 877-588-MCCI or e-mail us at .

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last updated: 01/17/06

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