Dr Martine Piccart, head of the chemotherapy department at the Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels, told the briefing of her concern for the future of clinical trials.
She said that she belonged to the generation of physicians who joined the clinical research field at a time when a clinical trial could be initiated within one to two months.
"No wonder that this field catalysed my enthusiasm, given the much needed improvement in our anti-cancer strategies," she said. "But, as regulations in the field started to grow exponentially, resulting in a rapid multiplication of administrative procedures linked to trials, I probably developed protective antibodies, which helped me cope with this mounting bureaucracy."
She said her biggest fear was for the young generation of oncologists. She was finding it increasingly difficult to motivate young doctors for clinical research.
"It was time to ring an alarm bell, so I brought the issue to the organising committee of EBCC-3, who immediately endorsed the idea of devoting a whole session to the subject. Indeed, this conference offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness since it involves not only physicians, but also nurses, basic scientists, epidemiologists - and health care consumers through Europa Donna."
Dr Piccart said EBCC-3 was fortunate also to have a talented chairman who could put together a play, as there was nothing like humour to introduce a very serious topic.
She pledged that the rebellion against an increasing number of unnecessary, costly and time-consuming bureaucratic hurdles would not stop after the Barcelona meeting. "We will go forward and publish the highlights of the round table discussion, and Europa Donna, being sensitised to the problem, will most likely help us in lobbying the European Parliament in order to re-establish a healthy environment that facilitates clinical and translational research."
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Contact: Margaret Willson
m.willson@mwcommunications.org.uk
34-93-364-4487
Federation of European Cancer Societies
22-Mar-2002