Few Cancer Patients Enroll in Clinical Trials

It is well known that very few people with cancer actually enroll in clinical trials. This, for a myriad of reasons, including misconceptions, logistics, awareness, eligibility and fear.

Many patients lack awareness of what a clinical trial actually is, what it is for, and what is being tested.

Many healthcare professionals do not fully communicate information about clinical trial availability and participation when discussing treatment options with their patients.

Patient Advocacy organizations and other healthcare groups are trying to get the word out about clinical trials as a good treatment option and raise awareness. But progress is slow.

There are myths perpetuated about patients being “guinea pigs” in medical trials, or about patients being given “placebos” in the place of cancer medication. These myths need to be addressed and there are organizations and websites that do offer general answers to patient questions about trials. Patient Empowerment Network offers a FAQ page that addresses common questions about clinical trials. And ProjectInnovation offers a special section in their resource guide called, Debunking Common Myths About Cancer Clinical Trials.

Besides a lack of awareness and perceived misconceptions about clinical trials, there are logistics and eligibility obstacles that prove to be just too overwhelming for many patients. These obstacles are being addressed by many organizations, but again, progress is slow.

Do Younger Cancer Patients Experience the Same Preconceived Ideas About Trials?

Most cancer patients are older. What about the younger cancer patients? Do they feel the same way? Do they have the same misconceptions and the same fears? Do they also suffer from the same lack of awareness? Are they also overwhelmed by logistics and eligibility issues?

These are questions that StupidCancer and Bristol-Myers Squibb are trying to answer.

StupidCancer, founded by Matthew Zachary, is the largest charity that specifically focuses on young adult (age 15-39) cancer. There are 72,000 cases diagnosed each year of young adult cancer. This group suffers from a lack of awareness and understanding from the community around them. StupidCancer helps by building awareness, offering support and resources and generally getting the word out through advocacy, research, outreach, mobile health and social media.

Iamnotatrial Project

StupidCancer, in partnership with BMS, is embarking on a project called “iamnotatrial” that will feature young people between the ages of 15 and 44 years old who have completed a clinical trial in one or more of 15 cancer types. These clinical trial participants will be featured in a series of short videos that will tell their stories and relay their experience with clinical trials and will hopefully help build awareness and interest in clinical trials within the younger patient community.

When interviewed, a representative from StupidCancer explained that the goal of the iamnotatrial project is that by showing real patients and survivors telling their story in their own way, by video, that they can channel the energy of these patients and send it towards other patients who are taking action and looking for trials, enrolling and asking questions.

It is the hope and intention that viewers of the videos will become more aware that trials are a viable option, that there is diversity (gender and ethnicity) in trials and that there are many reasons to participate in trials- to help yourself as well as to help others.

Patients Helping Patients

Patients learn from patients like them. Patient stories are a powerful way of getting the message across. We are anxious to see these videos and champion their cause. We are anxious to help SupidCancer get the word out about clinical trials to their younger cancer audience.

Talk to your medical team and consider a clinical trial. It could be the best treatment option for you.