Why you should read this article:

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To understand the role of clinical trials in patients receiving novel cancer treatments

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To learn about some of the challenges involved in recruiting patients to cancer clinical trials

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To appreciate how nurses can help to improve recruitment to cancer clinical trials by signposting patients to detailed information

In the UK, the recruitment of patients with cancer to clinical trials has deteriorated due to current political, societal, financial and clinical challenges as well as historic barriers to participation. Cancer nurses can help to improve recruitment by discussing clinical trials with patients and their families or carers. To do this effectively, nurses require an understanding of some of the challenges regarding participation as well as knowledge of what trials are available for their patients, what participation may entail and how and where to signpost patients to more detailed information. This article discusses some of the challenges to recruitment of patients to cancer clinical trials and considers the potential role of the nurse in increasing patient enrolment. The main focus of the article is lung cancer, but the issues discussed are relevant to nurses working in all areas of cancer care.