ENTRY INTO CLINICAL-TRIALS IN BREAST-CANCER - THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALIST TEAMS

The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing entry of women with invasive breast cancer into clinical trials in Scotland. W omen diagnosed during 1987 and 1993 were identified from cancer regist ry data records and their case notes reviewed. Entry into clinical tri als was recorded, along with clinical and demographic data for 4688 pa tients. In 1987, the proportion of women entering clinical trials was 12.3% and, allowing for shorter follow-up, this appeared unchanged in 1993. Patients seen by surgeons with a high case load and those referr ed to an oncologist were approximately seven times and three times, re spectively, more likely to enter a clinical trial (P < 0.0001). The ar ea of Scotland (Health Board) where the woman was first treated also i nfluenced study entry (P < 0.0001), whereas social deprivation had no effect (P = 0.93). Older women, especially those over 80 years of age, were less likely to enter studies (P = 0.05). Extending the managemen t of patients by specialist multidisciplinary teams should increase re cruitment into clinical trials and help to identify better treatments for women with breast cancer. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.