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When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the first question is often: What are my options? For many, clinical trials can offer access to advanced therapies that aren’t available through standard treatment. Yet fewer than 5% of U.S. adults with cancer end up enrolling in a trial.
At first glance, it may seem like patients are simply unwilling to participate. But recent research shows that isn’t the case. A large meta-analysis published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that when patients are offered a clinical trial, about 55% agree to enroll.1 The real challenge is that too few patients are offered a trial in the first place.
What This Means for Patients
For individuals facing a cancer diagnosis, this research highlights an important truth: the opportunity to join a trial is often out of reach, not because of a lack of interest, but because of barriers such as limited availability, strict eligibility requirements, and a complicated application process.
Kadance helps bridge that gap. As part of our post-cancer diagnosis services, members receive:
- Clinical trial evaluations that identify studies relevant to their diagnosis and genetic profile.
- Application assistance to simplify what can otherwise be a daunting process.
- Ongoing support so patients and their physicians can make informed, timely decisions about participation.
In short, Kadance ensures patients don’t miss opportunities simply because the system is too hard to navigate.
What This Means for Payers and Employers
From a broader perspective, clinical trials represent more than treatment options for individuals; they are an essential engine of medical progress. Low enrollment slows the pace of discovery and limits the evidence base for new, cost-effective therapies. By helping members access and enroll in trials, Kadance supports improved outcomes, accelerates research, and ultimately advances value-driven care.
The Takeaway
This study makes one thing clear: when offered the chance, most patients say yes. Kadance ensures more patients get that chance, delivering meaningful services for individuals while also supporting the system-level goals of payers and employers.
Resources:
1Unger, J. M., Vaidya, R., Hershman, D. L., Minasian, L. M., & Fleury, M. E. (2021). “When Offered to Participate”: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Patient Agreement to Participate in Cancer Clinical Trials. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 113(3), 244–257. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaa155