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Dear Colleague,
Cancer treatment continues to improve, thanks in part to a deeper understanding of preventive and therapeutic measures studied in cancer clinical trials. Yet the cancer community faces a real challenge: enrollment in clinical trials isn't keeping up with our need for innovation. In fact, only 3% of the 3 million patients eligible for cancer clinical trials take steps to enroll.1,2 This is largely due to a lack of public awareness of clinical trials as an option and a misunderstanding of how cancer clinical trials are designed and run.
In an effort to better educate patients about clinical trials in oncology, the American Cancer Society and Genentech have developed ACT: About Clinical Trials. This initiative aims to raise awareness about clinical trials through a series of unbiased, unscripted videos and patient resources. Study participants, clinicians, thought leaders, nurses, and others share their experiences in order to educate and inspire patients, caregivers, and physicians to ACT by considering enrollment in cancer clinical trials.
As you discuss your patients' options, consider introducing them to cancer clinical trial enrollment and encouraging them to visit the ACT Web site,
www.LearnAboutClinicalTrials.org,
where they will find
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6 video modules
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Why Should I Consider a Cancer Clinical Trial? |
| 2. |
How Will I Know if a Trial Is Right for Me? |
| 3. |
How Should I Prepare for Discussions With My Doctor? |
| 4. |
What Standards Are in Place to Safeguard Trial Participants? |
| 5. |
What Is Informed Consent? |
| 6. |
Where Can I Turn for Information and Support? |
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Answers to common misconceptions about clinical trials |
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Printable discussion guide |
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Links to useful, unbiased resources for information and support |
ACT is available to everyone and requires no enrollment or registration.
As you discuss your patients' options, please introduce cancer clinical trial enrollment whenever appropriate. With your help, we can significantly increase participation in clinical trials to achieve our shared goal to ACT toward a better future in cancer care.
Sincerely,
Sandra Horning, MD
Global Head of Product Development
and Chief Medical Officer,
Roche Genentech;
Past ASCO President
Otis Brawley, MD
Chief Medical Officer,
American Cancer Society
Sandra M. Swain, MD
Medical Director,
Washington Cancer Institute at MedStar
Washington Hospital Center;
Past ASCO President
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References: 1. D'Amato SA. Identifying and Overcoming Participation Barriers in Cancer Clinical Trials. Chemotherapy Advisor website. http://www.chemotherapyadvisor.com/identifying-and-overcoming-participation-barriers-in-cancer-clinical-trials/printarticle/262174/. Published October 4, 2012. Accessed October 12, 2015. 2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2014. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2014.
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