The number of cancer patients in the UK taking part in clinical studies has now reached one in ten; exceeding levels in the US, where only one in 20 patients participate in cancer trials.
Figures from the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) show that during the last decade, the number of UK cancer trial patients has risen from one in 26 to one in ten, and provisional figures for 2009-10 suggest that across the UK, over 45,000 patients are enrolled on clinical trials.
This number also exceeds that of any other European country.
Professor David Cameron, lead author on the study and former Director of the NCRN, said: “These figures demonstrate the huge enthusiasm and willingness of British people to participate in research that could potentially lead to life-saving new treatments in the future.”
The rapid rise in the number of patients in the UK taking part in clinical studies has been largely attributed to the establishment of the NCRN, which is one of eight Clinical Research Networks funded by the National Institute of Health Research in England.
The networks cut out a lot of red tape and provide expert support for researchers. The NCRN has supported over 800 clinical trials involving more than 250,000 volunteers. Every NHS hospital and cancer centre in the country is now involved in cancer trials.
Dr Jonathan Sheffield, Chief Executive of the overall National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network said: “The success of the National Cancer Research Network shows that we now have a highly effective model for involving patients in research that could benefit them now, and other NHS patients in the future.”
