Little research has been undertaken to determine why healthy people agree to enroll in randomized controlled trials of cancer prevention. This study describes the beliefs of Canadian women participating in a trial designed to determine the effect of reducing dietary fat on the development of breast cancer. Healthier eating, nutritional counseling, contributing to science, and helping others were the most frequently cited advantages of participation. Weight control and general better health were specifically associated with the dietary regimens. Attending appointments and difficulties when eating out were the main disadvantages of participation. Suggestions that would promote adherence to the trial protocol also were elicited. Responses cited most often included opportunities to meet other participants, more nutritional counseling (particularly psychological tips), updates about the trial, and more recipes. Attention should be paid to these suggestions as they characterize some of the major determinants of adherence behavior.
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Drs Till and Boyd, and Mss Sutherland, Martin, and Greenberg are with the Division of Epidemiology & Statistics, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Ms Carlin and Mr Harper were summer students in the Division. Address correspondence to Ms Sutherland, Division of Epidemiology and Statistics, Ontario Cancer Institute, 500 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Canada, M4X 1K9. This research was supported by The National Cancer Institute of Canada with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society. Dr Boyd is the recipient of a National Health Scientist award from Health and Welfare, Canada.
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Sutherland, H.J., Carlin, K., Harper, W. et al. A study of diet and breast cancer prevention in Canada: why healthy women participate in controlled trials. Cancer Causes Control 4, 521–528 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00052427
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00052427