Survival rates for cancer are higher than ever – for most. Looking through the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2008, I felt a sense of shock that progressed to more than disappointment. While the very young and older adults are enjoying longer survival with cancer, survival for those aged 15 to 39 with cancer is actually lower than it was a few decades ago!

Why?

One reason could be lack of health insurance. Delays in the diagnosis of cancer until later, less curable stages is known to occur in those lacking insurance coverage.

But another possible explanation is lack of participation in clinical trials. Researchers have found that lower survival rates in adolescents and younger adults with cancer correlates with less involvement in clinical trials. It isn’t known if this is the cause, but clinical trials are vitally important in evaluating new and perhaps better methods of treating cancer.

Not all clinical trials are designed to treat cancer, and some studies are more likely to offer survival benefits not present with standard therapy. Understanding the types and phases of clinical trials can help you decide if a clinical trial may be right for you.

_Sources:

Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf

Ferrari, A. et al. The challenges of clinical trials for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Pediatric Blood Cancer. 2008. May;50(5 Suppl):1101-4.

Martin, S. et al. Delays in cancer diagnosis in underinsured young adults and older adolescents. Oncologist. 2007. Jul;12(7):816-24.