Randomized clinical trials of cancer treatment--a public opinion survey.

An interview survey was carried out among 1022 adults, representative of a cross-section of the population aged 16-70, to find out how people reacted to the idea of participating in randomized clinical trials of cancer treatment. A secondary purpose of the survey was to learn whether or not people wanted their doctor to give them information about their illness, the treatment and the trials. Overall, there was no evidence of antipathy to the concept of randomized trials. Two out of three of those interviewed were prepared to participate, except in the most demanding situations when just over half wished to choose their own treatment. There was a strong response in favour of being given information and a very high level of confidence in doctors. Both respondents and interviewers were enthusiastic about participating in the survey.