Velindre reports 94 active cancer trials and 1,558 participants over five years

Velindre has 94 active clinical trials, with research covering 10 tumour sites, according to figures released by the NHS trust for World Cancer Research Day.

Over the past five years, it says it has opened 158 research studies and recruited and cared for 1,558 trial participants. The update marks the halfway point of its research strategy, launched in 2021.

What the figures mean

The 94 figure is a current trial count; 158 is the number of studies opened over five years. They cover different periods and measures, so subtracting one from the other would not establish how many trials have closed.

Nor do the totals establish how many people benefited from treatment. The announcement reports research activity, without publishing trial-by-trial outcomes or an overall survival result.

Taking part depends on the trial

The NHS advises people interested in research to ask their doctor or a patient organisation about studies they may be eligible to join. Its guidance also points to the Be Part of Research service, which lists UK research opportunities.

A new treatment being tested may prove no better than standard care, and may be worse. Before joining, patients should be given information about the study and have the chance to ask about risks, extra visits and what treatment they would receive otherwise.

The NHS says participants can leave a trial at any point without giving a reason and without affecting the care they receive.