Participation in cancer clinical trials as viewed by Chinese patients and their families

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the attitude of Chinese cancer patients and their families toward clinical trials.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 578 pairs of cancer patients and their relatives.

Results: Of the 712 pairs of participants contacted, 578 pairs completed the questionnaire (effective response rate 81.2%). Over half of the participants have heard about cancer clinical trials. Among the respondents, 54.5% of the patients would consider participation in an early-stage cancer clinical trial, 68.7% with advanced cancer without previous therapy and 75.6% with advanced cancer not responding to prior therapy would consider participation in a clinical trial. Willingness to participate in a clinical trial was affected by disease stage. No significant differences were observed between the attitudes of patients and families. Participants who had never heard of clinical trials were more willing to participate in a cancer clinical trial. The major reasons for willingness to participate in a cancer clinical trial were 'doctor suggests' or 'more therapy chance'. The major reasons for patients not to participate were 'the effect of new drug is unknown' and 'not want to be a guinea pig'.

Conclusions: Most patients were willing to join a cancer clinical trial and no significant difference was observed between the attitudes of patients and their families.