Enrolments in trials per incidence of cancer in NSW by level of socio-economic advantage and remoteness

Why this indicator is important

Clinical trials are research studies involving people who volunteer to test new ways to treat, care, and improve people’s health. Successful clinical trials can lead to new treatments and care for patients.[1]

For some people with cancer, clinical trials offer the best option for effective care, treatment, and support, however, improvements are needed in access and participation across clinical trials:[2]

• Enrolment rates into cancer clinical trials are lower for people living in regional/remote areas of NSW.[1]
• There is also known lower participation in cancer clinical trials across lower socioeconomic groups.[1]

Ratio of enrolments to cancer incidence (per 100 cases) in NSW, by level of socio-economic disadvantage and remoteness, 2022-2023 FY

About this indicator

This indicator shows the ratio of enrolments in clinical trials per 100 cases of cancer in NSW, by level of socio-economic disadvantage and remoteness:^*

• For every 100 people diagnosed with cancer there were 2.4 enrolments (inner regional) and 1.3 enrolments (outer regional and remote) in those classified as most disadvantaged in 2022-2023.

N= Average incident cancer cases in NSW, 2018-20.

*Since the last reporting period (2021/22 FY) data reporting the index used to calculate socioeconomic status results has changed from Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) to Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD), along with a change in the calculation of incidence in the denominator.

Notes

1. Data sources: Cancer Institute NSW Clinical Trials Portal and Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) and Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).
2. The ratio is derived from the number of enrolments into clinical trials for 2022-23 FY divided by the annual incident cancer cases for 2018-20 by IRSD Quintile and level of remoteness. This is multiplied by 100 to give the ratio per 100 incident cancer cases.

References

1. Cancer Institute NSW. Reporting for Better Outcomes. Annual statewide report, 2022. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.

2. Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan 2022–2027. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.