Kids Willing to Take Risks for Cancer Research
A study of children involved in cancer treatments and other trials indicates most of them are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to further research projects and charitable causes, even if the activities wouldn’t benefit them personally.
To arrive at the findings, scientists from the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development interviewed 81 sets of children (ages 7 to 14 years) and their parents/guardians at a clinic where the children were receiving care or participating in clinical research for cancer or asthma.
After being presented hypothetical scenarios of various research studies and charitable activities that would pose an increased risk of headaches or broken bones, the patients were asked if they’d be willing to participate. Although they were told the study could not benefit their own treatment, a large percentage of the children – up to 71% in some instances – said they would still volunteer.
Depending on the risks presented, 24 to 72 percent of the guardians stated they’d provide parental consent even when the proposed activities offered no clinical benefit to their own child.
The authors of the study concluded the findings supported the acceptability of exposing children to some research risks for the benefit of others.
Results of the study are published in the January 2008 edition of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
On a related note, there’s a bipartisan bill currently making its way through the US Congress which could potentially impact funding for pediatric cancer research. If you’d like to track the status of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007 click here.
Source: Jan 2008 Issue of The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Related Links: WashingtonWatch.com; CureSearch.org; KidsHealth.org
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Related Podcast: Volunteens from St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Tags: pediatric research; David Wendler, PhD; Tammara Jenkins, MSN; Bethesda, MD; H.R. 1553; S. 911; voter information; informed consent
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