Why Do We Need Clinical Trials?

Newly diagnosed cancer patients want above all tonecessary so that the groups being offered the
survive and to be offered a treatment that is rightdifferent treatments are similar to each other in all
for them. But how does the doctor know which isaspects: the doctors will then know that any
the right treatment in any situation? In order to finddifferences in the results can only be due to the
out, doctors have to conduct clinical trials or studies,treatment. The patient is randomised by computer to
in which patients are prepared to take part when it isavoid any bias being introduced by the doctor or the
not known for sure what is the best treatment.patients which would occur if treatments were
Treatment improvements come about by painstakingchosen by them. It is important that large numbers
planning by multi-disciplinary teams. They work outof patients are recruited so that even small
procedures for randomised controlled trials todifferences in treatments can be detected. This
determine answers, by rigorous scientific method, toknowledge can mean improvements for many
many questions about therapies. Testing new drugspatients in the future.
effects is only a part of research. Information is alsoI believe that patients should share the responsibility
needed about combinations of treatments, theirfor the design and presentation of clinical trials. In this
timing, their sequence, their duration and the effectsway, aspects of cancer and treatment which matter
of these on not just patients survival, but also theirto them can be considered and included. Evidence
well-being. Doctors can then offer choices based onabout quality as well as quantity of life is important
evidence rather than belief.for cancer patients: this too should be measured
The stumbling block for the patient is often acceptingwhenever appropriate.
the randomisation process. Randomisation is