Boosting Ethnic Variety in Breast Cancer Medical Studies
In the ongoing fight against breast cancer, a significant issue has come to light – the underrepresentation of Black women in clinical trials. This disparity is a concern as Black women are more likely to die from the disease compared to their white counterparts, and certain breast cancer subtypes are more prevalent among this group [1][3][5].
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American College of Cancer Care (ACCC) have emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to improve access to breast cancer clinical trials. This includes trial sponsors, researchers, clinicians, patients, patient advocacy groups, community leaders, and organizations [6].
Different clinical trials involve various treatments, procedures, and tests. To learn what a trial will involve, one can speak with the clinical trial team [2]. However, multiple factors contribute to the underrepresentation of People of Color in breast cancer trials. These include mistrust and historical injustices, socioeconomic obstacles, lack of culturally competent outreach, biological disparities, and lack of referrals [3][4].
To address this disparity, several strategies can be employed. These include community-based outreach and patient navigation programs, increasing representation of Black clinicians and researchers, institutional policies setting diversity targets for trial enrollment and site teams, tailoring trial design and consent processes, and partnerships with local organizations [3].
People with breast cancer can learn about available clinical trials by speaking with a doctor, contacting cancer care centers, or conducting research online. In some cases, clinical trial teams may offer financial support or other assistance to help people overcome barriers to participation [7]. Multiple organizations also offer support for travel, lodging, and other treatment- and trial-related expenses [7].
Black women are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to die from breast cancer in the United States. Compared with white women, Black women are 40% more likely to die of the disease [8]. To increase participation among those currently underrepresented, engaging patient advocates, support groups, faith-based organizations, and other community groups in outreach efforts may help raise awareness and increase enrollment [9].
Financial barriers can prevent some Black women and others from participating in breast cancer research due to inadequate insurance coverage and the costs of routine cancer care not being covered by trial sponsors [9]. It's important to note that participants have a right to leave clinical trials at any time, and during the informed consent process, they have an opportunity to learn about the potential benefits, risks, and costs of participating in the trial before they decide whether to enroll [10].
In conclusion, addressing the underrepresentation of Black women in breast cancer clinical trials is crucial for equitable access to innovative treatments and for generating data that reflect their specific genetic and disease characteristics, ultimately improving outcomes. By implementing multi-faceted, targeted approaches, we can work towards ensuring that all women have the opportunity to benefit from the advances in breast cancer research.
References:
- American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2021-2022. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8740.00.Breast_Cancer_Facts_and_Figures_2021-2022.pdf
- National Cancer Institute. (2021). What You Need To Know About Clinical Trials. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/what-are-clinical-trials
- National Cancer Institute. (2018). Minority Participation in Clinical Trials: Progress and Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/research/progress-report/2018/participation-minorities
- American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2019). ASCO and ACCC Joint Statement on Increasing Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials. Retrieved from https://www.asco.org/about-asco/asco-position-statements/asco-accc-joint-statement-increasing-diversity-cancer-clinical-trials
- American Cancer Society. (2019). Breast Cancer in African Americans. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-african-americans.html
- American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2020). ASCO/ACCC Joint Statement on Increasing Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials. Retrieved from https://www.asco.org/about-asco/asco-position-statements/asco-accc-joint-statement-increasing-diversity-cancer-clinical-trials
- National Cancer Institute. (2021). Financial Help for Cancer Patients. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/financial-help
- American Cancer Society. (2022). Breast Cancer Risk Factors. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
- American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2021-2022. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8740.00.Breast_Cancer_Facts_and_Figures_2021-2022.pdf
- National Cancer Institute. (2021). What You Need To Know About Clinical Trials. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/what-are-clinical-trials
- The underrepresentation of Black women in breast cancer clinical trials is a significant issue, as they are more likely to die from the disease compared to their white counterparts.
- To address this disparity, strategies such as community-based outreach and patient navigation programs, partnerships with local organizations, and institutional policies setting diversity targets could be employed.
- Financial barriers can prevent Black women and others from participating in breast cancer research, due to inadequate insurance coverage and the costs of routine care not being covered by trial sponsors.
- It's essential to engage patient advocates, support groups, faith-based organizations, and other community groups in outreach efforts to increase participation among those currently underrepresented in breast cancer clinical trials.
