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Feedback from up to 49,000 patients with cancer remains unpublished, study suggests

Researchers say information on quality of life during and after treatment must be shared
Clinical trial feedback

Researchers say information on quality of life during and after treatment must be shared


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Feedback from thousands of patients with cancer remains unpublished, researchers have found.

The feedback comes from up to 49,000 patients who took part in UK-led clinical trials in 2000-14, according to a study led by the University of Birmingham.

The unpublished information details how the trials’ cancer treatment affected patients’ overall health and quality of life.

‘Widespread’ non-reporting

The study found that while most trials published data on cancer progression and survival rates, more than one in three failed to publish the patient reported outcome (PRO) data they had collected.

The researchers highlighted the variability in standards of PRO trial design and reporting, and suggested that the non-reporting of PRO findings is ‘widespread’.

The authors of the study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, state: ‘These deficiencies must be urgently addressed to ensure these data are made available to enhance clinical outcomes for the benefit of future patients.’

Use of international guidelines

Joint-chief investigator for the study Derek Kyte, from the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Applied Health Research and the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, said researchers should use newly developed international guidelines to ensure vital data is published.

‘Our research has shown that researchers need to work far harder to make sure important quality of life data are made available to patients and their clinicians.

‘We recognise trialists need help to do this, which is why Macmillan Cancer Support, the National Cancer Research Institute and the University of Birmingham are working together to share best-practice international guidelines known as SPIRIT-PRO and to provide bespoke training.’

Making informed decisions

Georgina Wiley, a nurse and a treatment and recovery adviser at Macmillan, said: ‘Cancer treatment can have a big impact on a person’s quality of life.

‘Therefore, people need all the available information to make an informed decision before starting on it.

‘Information should be provided about what life might be like for them while undergoing and recovering from treatment, alongside realistic advice on how much it might increase their chances of survival.

‘This includes things like what side effects they might experience and whether it will impair their ability to perform normal day-to-day routines.’


Further information

Read the study 


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