Why Might People Donate Tissue for Cancer Research? Insights from Organ/Tissue/Blood Donation and Clinical Research

Little is known about why patients with cancer do or do not donate their biopsied/cancerous tissue to research. A review of the literature on motivations to participate in clinical research and to donate tissues/organs for therapeutic use may provide some insights relevant to tumour banking research. While more research is necessary, a better understanding of the factors that motivate patients to give or refuse consent to tumour banking may ultimately improve consent practices, public trust and donation rates. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel