Your article fails to recognize that clinical trials are the only way to improve cancer survival. You also failed to explain the rigorous oversight for cancer clinical trials and the enormous importance of research to improve quality of life for individuals facing cancer. Cancer clinical trials are carefully monitored comparisons between new and standard methods in cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment, and supportive care. Patient care in clinical trials is dictated by strict protocols which are stringently monitored, and patient responses are painstakingly tracked and recorded in data sets that are submitted to the FDA for careful scrutiny to evaluate safety and efficacy. In addition, data safety monitoring boards evaluate patient safety in large-scale clinical trials.
Clinical trials ensure high quality cancer care.
Furthermore, the article failed to mention that responsible and concerned parties are constantly working to monitor and to improve the clinical trials system. Collaborative efforts among federal agencies, Congress, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, cancer researchers, and advocacy groups are underway to improve IRB oversight, to monitor patient safety, to clarify informed consent, to disseminate trial information to cancer patients and physicians, and to expedite the translation of laboratory research from the scientist's bench to the patient's bedside. The cancer research and advocacy communities work very closely together to ensure patient safety and to advance the state of cancer care. These resources have been established to provide patients and families with resources to help guide the decision-making process regarding clinical trials, including explanations of what clinical trials are and how they differ, questions to ask physicians when contemplating whether to participate in a trial, the risks of participating in trials, what informed consent is, how to locate clinical trials, and resources to contact for further information. Let us focus our time and energy on the facts of clinical trials and these positive efforts to improve the system and physician and patient awareness.