Newly released findings from the Bridge survey (Bridging Gaps, Expanding Outreach - Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Survey) found that most (78 per cent) women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have never participated in a clinical trial. Of these women, more than half (56 per cent) were never invited to consider a clinical trial and one-third (30 per cent) had not been recommended a clinical trial by their healthcare provider. Findings from the survey, conducted by Harris Interactive and supported by Pfizer Oncology, were presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009 in Denver, Colorado.

The survey of 950 women living with MBC in the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Spain, Poland, Argentina, Egypt and Mexico found that less than one-fifth of respondents (18 per cent) had ever enrolled in a clinical trial. Of these women, 77 per cent cited encouragement from their healthcare provider as the primary reason for participating. Among the 23 per cent of respondents who were invited to consider a clinical trial by a healthcare provider, 31 per cent (67 respondents) did not participate for reasons including fear of side effects (38 per cent), not meeting screening requirements (31 per cent), belief that they would not benefit from the trial (30 per cent) and not wanting to be part of an experiment (26 per cent).

"Metastatic breast cancer remains a clinical challenge in the oncology community, as the majority of patients progress despite available therapies," said Ruth Oratz, clinical associate professor of medicine, NYU School of Medicine and Bridge steering committee member. "While clinical trials are critical to the development of new treatment options for metastatic breast cancer, many trials are delayed due to insufficient enrolment. The Bridge survey helps to reveal some of the barriers to clinical trial participation in the metastatic breast cancer setting that may help us address challenges in patient recruitment."

The Bridge survey found that about a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents had proactively searched for information on clinical trials. Of these women, nearly half (46 per cent) had been invited to consider a clinical trial by a healthcare provider and 34 per cent had enrolled in a clinical trial, compared to those who had not sought out information, 15 and 13 per cent, respectively. Further, among women who had participated in a clinical trial, more than half reported that information about the benefits and risks of participation (57 per cent), as well as potential side effects (54 per cent), was helpful in getting them through the clinical trial process.

"The Bridge survey shows that knowledge is power when it comes to clinical trials," said professor Lesley Fallowfield, director, Cancer Research UK Psychosocial Oncology Group, University of Sussex, UK, and Bridge steering committee member. "Physician influence is a primary factor driving participation, but patients can only take an active role if they are aware of all their treatment options and are encouraged to enquire about treatments available within a clinical trial."

Based on these findings, the international steering committee overseeing the Bridge survey encourages healthcare providers to proactively discuss the options, risks and benefits of clinical trials with potentially eligible patients, and provide support services that offer assistance and guidance to patients throughout the clinical trial process. The steering committee also encourages women living with MBC to research and proactively discuss clinical trials with their healthcare providers.

The Bridge survey is a new, wide-reaching global assessment of the needs, experiences and attitudes of women living with MBC age 18 and over in multiple countries.

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