Attitudes of people living with cancer towards trial non-publication and research participation

In medicine, the results of clinical trials are considered one of the most trustworthy forms of scientific evidence that can be generated. Consequently, the medical community relies on researchers running trials to publish timely summaries of their results to share new discoveries, identify areas for future research (as well as research 'dead ends') and ultimately to ensure patients receive the best and safest medical treatments available. However, previous research has shown that for approximately half of clinical trials, results are not reported in a timely manner or at all.1-4 For example, one of these studies reported that between 2006 and 2016, the results of over 11 000 completed clinical trials (enrolling 8.7 million patients) still had not been shared with doctors, researchers or patients.