Enrolments in cancer clinical trials as a proportion of cancer incidence
Why this indicator is important
Clinical trials are research studies involving people who volunteer to test new ways to treat, care, and improve people’s health. Successful clinical trials can lead to new treatments and care for patients.[1]
For some people with cancer, clinical trials offer the best option for effective care, treatment and support, however, improvements are needed in access and participation across clinical trials:[2]
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Enrolment rates into cancer clinical trials are lower for people with the most disadvantaged socioeconomic status, the elderly, and for people living in regional/remote areas of NSW.[1]
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In the 2022-2023 financial year major cities accounted for 82.9% of clinical trial enrolments.[3]
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Additionally, there is lower participation in cancer clinical trials among Aboriginal communities and other focus populations, including multicultural communities.[2]
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Disruptions to the healthcare sector, such as COVID-19 and flooding events, impacted access to cancer clinical trials in the four years (2019-2022).[4]
About this indicator
This indicator shows the rate of enrolment into a clinical trial per 100 cancer cases.
- In the 2023–to2024, FY for every 100 people diagnosed with cancer in NSW, there were 5.3 enrolments in a cancer clinical trial.
NSW Cancer Plan activities
Studies show that language barriers prevent people from CALD backgrounds taking part in potentially life-changing cancer clinical trials. In partnership with Health Care Interpreting Services the Institute developed a cancer clinical trials training program to increase interpreters’ knowledge of clinical trials and common terminology to better support patients during informed consent and follow up visits. The training focuses on cancer clinical trial and research concepts, terminology and the interpreter’s role in the enrolment and consent process, complementing the interpreters’ expertise.[5]
Notes
Data accurate as of August 2025.
References
Cancer Institute NSW. Reporting for Better Outcomes. Annual statewide report, 2023. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2024.
Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan 2022–to2027. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.
Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Clinical Trial statistics [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022 [cited 20th January 2025]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/data-available-now/cancer-statistics-nsw/nsw-cancer-clinical-trial-statistics
Cancer Institute NSW. Reporting for Better Outcomes. Annual statewide report, 2022. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2023.
Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan Implementation Plan 2022–to2023 Progress Snapshot. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2024.
