Just one in 10 cancer patients ask about trials

Only one in 10 patients living with cancer asked their doctor about participating in a cancer trial, it has emerged.

Research by Cancer Trials Ireland also found that many patients consider cancer trials to be the last treatment option, with more than one in five (22%) of those surveyed saying they believe cancer trials are only used when standard treatments have failed.

Consultant oncologist Dr Catherine Kelly, who led the research, said cancer trials could offer hope to all patients with cancer, not just those for whom standard treatment has failed.