Lack of opportunities for youth cancer trials is slowing treatment improvement

Speaking at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) conference in Liverpool, Dr Jeremy Whelan will deliver findings that show fewer teenagers and young adults are entered into trials that could help develop life-saving treatments.

Research conducted by the NCRI teenage and young adult clinical studies group found that between 2005 and 2009 the largest group to enter trials were children under four years old, with some 70 per cent taking part. This compares to just 11.1 per cent of patients aged 20 to 24. Of patients aged 10 to 14, 45.3 per cent entered trials and in the 15 to 19 group it was 28.2 per cent.

Whelan says trial availability, care places and age restrictions are the main reasons for the unbalanced results, as well as the fact that young people have various "life stage commitments" that make it difficult for them to fulfil trial requirements.

Five-year survival rates for 13- to 24-year-olds in England are 69 per cent for males and 73 per cent for females.

Lorraine Clifton, chief executive of CLIC Sargent, which supports children and young people with cancer, said: "Participation in clinical trials has been a key factor in the significant improvement in survival rates for children with cancer over the past 30 years and CLIC Sargent strongly supports the Nice guidance which recommends that teenagers and young adults with cancer are also given the opportunity to participate in these trials where appropriate.
 
"While participation in clinical trials is important, it is also critical that teenagers and young adults with cancer receive age-appropriate care which recognises the distinct needs of this age group and is able to meet their holistic clinical, emotional, psycho-social and financial needs."