Attitudes towards and participation in randomised clinical trials in oncology: A review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials are the principal means by which new treatment approaches are evaluated in medicine. It has been argued that randomised clinical trials provide the highest standard of care and at the same time help to contribute to scientific knowledge. However, only a relatively small proportion of cancer patients receive treatment as part of a formal clinical trial. This article provides a broad review of the issues pertinent to …