Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Clinical Trials

While patients' concerns about clinical trials are understandable, it is critical that members of the cancer community address negative perceptions. Fortunately, what we have learned is that we can do it effectively through education. Providing education about clinical trials can make a measurable difference. In the MSK survey, the number of respondents who had a positive impression of these studies increased significantly from 40 to 60%, after reading a brief statement that defines the term clinical trial. But it's not just information that can help patients feel more comfortable with clinical trials; the doctor-patient relationship is also essential. Doctors generally recommend people looking for trials to consult Clinicaltrials.gov, a national registry in which it can be difficult to navigate. But we can do more than direct them to a database. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we have teams of experts guiding patients along the way. More accessible websites, such as SurvivorNet, provide patients with important questions to ask doctors about clinical trials and general cancer treatment.