Clinical trials help to inform clinical practice and improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. Australian cancer clinical trials are developed by Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups (CCTGs), which conduct world-class, multi-disciplinary research for cancer control.
Consumer representatives are important parts of CCTGs. They may be involved with the development of a concept for a clinical trials, or they may provide input into research protocols and summaries for public audiences, or they may review patient information sheets and consent forms to ensure ethical and clear communication with patients who are participating in clinical trials.
There are 14 CCTGs in Australia:
- Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG)
- Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG)
- Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA)
- Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology and Oncology Group (ANZCHOG)
- Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP)
- Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG)
- Breast Cancer Trials (BCT)
- Cancer Symptom Trials (CST)
- Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO)
- Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials (MASC Trials)
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4)
- Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG)
- Thoracic Oncology Group Australasia (TOGA)
- TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG).