Cancer Survivors and Clinical Trials: What Do They Really Know?

Cancer survivors in the US have a big role in clinical trials. These trials help at every step of cancer care, even after treatment. But how much do survivors know about them? A recent study looked at data from two big sources. One is the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). The other is the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. The study found that many survivors don't know much about clinical trials. This is a problem. Clinical trials can help improve cancer care. They can also help survivors live better lives. But if survivors don't know about them, they can't join.The study also found that some groups know less than others. For example, older survivors and those with less education know less about clinical trials. This is something that needs to be fixed. So, what can be done? First, more information needs to be shared. Survivors need to know about clinical trials. They need to know how they work. And they need to know how they can join. Second, the information needs to be easy to understand. It should be in simple language. It should be easy to find. And it should be available in many formats. Finally, everyone should have access to this information. No one should be left out. This includes older people. It includes people with less education. And it includes people from all backgrounds.