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April 5, 2026Cancer Research

Cancer clinical trial education increases patient knowledge and beliefs scores by ~5 points.

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Why the study?

Racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in cancer clinical trials, partly due to lack of awareness or understanding, and educational interventions may help address these gaps.

Does an educational intervention improve knowledge and beliefs about cancer clinical trials in cancer patients?

Population

51 cancer patients being treated for any type of cancer at an NCI-designated cancer center

Comparison

Knowledge and beliefs before vs after exposure to educational stimuli

Design

Single-arm pre-post clinical trial

Key result

An educational intervention detailing cancer clinical trials increased patients' mean knowledge and beliefs score from 86.1 to 90.9 out of 100.

Authors

DMDiana Laura MoralesTBTrista BeardCHC. Hughes Halbert

Discussion

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Overview

May warrant routine trial education for cancer patients; extends evidence for reducing enrollment barriers.

Key Points

  • Evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge and beliefs regarding cancer clinical trials among patients.
  • Invited cancer patients to participate in a Clinical Trial Social Determinants Survey via mail and pamphlets.
  • Used a verified instrument (CHEKS) to assess patients' knowledge and beliefs pre- and post-education.
  • Presented educational materials through written and video stimuli detailing cancer clinical trials.
  • Mean knowledge and beliefs score increased from 86.1 to 90.9 after the intervention.
  • All subgroups showed a positive effect from the educational intervention, with varied increases in knowledge scores.
  • Coupled patients had the highest increase in knowledge scores (+6.59), while singles had the lowest (+1.79).

Structured PICO

Does an educational intervention improve knowledge and beliefs about cancer clinical trials in cancer patients?

P
Population
51 patients being treated for any type of cancer at an NCI-designated cancer center, 60.8% female, 65% White.
I
Intervention
Educational stimuli (written and video) detailing the purpose and characteristics of cancer clinical trials (CCTs)
C
Comparator
Pre-intervention baseline (single-arm pre-post design)
O
Outcome
Patient knowledge and beliefs of CCTs evaluated using the CHEKS instrumentpatient reported

Specific educational materials about cancer clinical trials can improve patients' knowledge and beliefs, potentially reducing barriers to enrollment.

Limitations

  • Small numbers of non-White racial/ethnic groups preventing subgroup analysis by race/ethnicity

Cite This Study

Morales et al. (2026) studied this question. An educational intervention detailing cancer clinical trials increased patients' mean knowledge and beliefs score from 86.1 to 90.9 out of 100.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d1fd73a79560c99a0a383chttps://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.am2026-7574
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