Recruitment for cancer trials in Ireland needs to be boosted, a new study has concluded.
Research conducted by the Medical Oncology Unit of the Mater Hospital revealed that 5pc of cpatients enrolled in a cancer clinical trial.
But it stressed that the majority of such patients (71pc) did not have a cancer trial option available that met their needs.
In those cases, the trials which were open did not meet their specific cancer type, the stage of their disease and their line of treatment.
The study, featured in the 'Irish Medical Journal', reviewed the anonymous files of 140 cancer patients who attended the Mater.
During the study, 19 cancer trials were available, covering 10 different cancer types.
The study, supported by Cancer Trials Ireland, also found that six patients who were eligible to take part in a cancer trial declined.
Dr Cathy Kelly, one of the study's authors, said the uptake of cancer trials had improved.
"Over the past 10 years, the number of patients participating in cancer trials in Ireland has doubled and the number of trials opened has tripled," she said.
Fellow author and oncologist Dr Ciara Kelly said reassuring cancer patients who were eligible for trials was also highly important.
"It's about taking away any misconceptions that patients may have about the trials. A lot of patients may think they might be a guinea pig.
"They may not understand that the trial is conducted in a really rigorous manner and their safety is a priority."