Clinical Trials Day: A commitment to better patient outcomes

This year’s Clinical Trials Day, held on 20 May, celebrates the theme “Powered by Purpose”, recognising the vital role of clinical research in improving lives and advancing healthcare around the world.

At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, we support this call by highlighting the importance of clinical trials in shaping a better future for people living with bladder cancer. Clinical research provides hope, drives innovation, and ensures that new treatments and approaches are safe, effective, and patient-centred.

Yet, access and awareness of clinical trials remain challenges. Our Global Patient and Carer Survey found that:

• Only 16% of bladder cancer patients received information about clinical trials.
• Just 8% of patients said they took part in a clinical trial.
• Many patients were willing to participate but were never offered the opportunity.

For many, the chance to participate in a clinical trial can change the course of their treatment. In our ‘5 Women, 5 Experiences’ campaign, Ana María shared how critical access to clinical research and expert care was when she faced a diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Her story reminds us how important it is that all patients have information and access to innovative options early in their journey. Learn more about Ana María’s experience.

The theme of Clinical Trials Day reminds us to put purpose at the centre of research. For bladder cancer patients, this means:

• Better access to information about clinical trials from the moment of diagnosis.
• Increased opportunities for patients to participate in research, especially those with advanced or metastatic disease.
• Equity and diversity in clinical research, ensuring that women, younger patients, and diverse communities are represented and supported.

Clinical trials not only drive innovation: they offer hope, hope for new treatments, better outcomes, and ultimately, a better quality of life.

This Clinical Trials Day, we stand alongside the global clinical research community to advocate for a future where every patient has access to the latest advancements in care.

Learn more about the experiences of bladder cancer patients and the importance of research in our Global Patient and Carer Survey.