Charity calls for cancer trials to be restarted with urgency

The pausing of almost all clinical research trials in Scotland in response to Covid-19 has removed treatment options for many people living with cancer, a report to MSPS and charities has found.

A report to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Cancer, which meets online today, has also highlighted a 95 per cent drop in new patients entering clinical trials, which has left people with cancer with fewer options for treatment.

Coronavirus has also delayed research into drugs that could potentially be effective in the future.

Cancer Research UK is now urging health service providers and the Scottish Government to move swiftly to get existing clinical trials for cancer restarted.

To ensure patients can participate in clinical trials safely, the charity says Scottish Government must ramp up Covid-19 testing so people with cancer can be treated in safe spaces where risk of exposure to the virus is minimised.

Marion O’neill, Cancer Research UK’S head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “Cancer hasn’t stopped because of the pandemic and it’s essential clinical trials are restarted.

“The Scottish Government has acknowledged that restarting cancer care is a priority. This urgency must now be extended to clinical trials and research. For those living with a cancer diagnosis now, the pause to trials has had a catastrophic and heart-breaking impact by removing access to final treatment options.