Inclusion of Minority Patients in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: The Role of the Clinical Trial Environment
Abstract
Clinical trials are the primary vehicle for transforming laboratory discoveries in breast cancer care into clinical practice. Enhanced participation by minorities in these trials is necessary to assess the effectiveness of advances in breast cancer care among major subpopulations and to ensure equity in the distribution of research benefits. While inroads to increasing minority inclusion in breast cancer clinical trials have been made, recent reports continue to demonstrate lower enrollment among African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos when compared to Whites. Minority participation in clinical trials will likely remain low without research designed to understand the reasons for limited participation. To address persistent ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer care, including participation in research, interventions need to assess the broader context of clinical trials and include the larger community where these trials take place. This study examines the combined effect of these factors on minority referral. The authors have identified trial characteristics that may impact minority recruitment, such as accessibility of trials, linguistic capacity and cultural competence of clinical trial staff, and outreach efforts. They have begun to analyze the geographic, social, and physical attributes of the communities surrounding the trials. Having received approval from the UCSF Committee on Human Research (effective 21 December 2006), the authors will initiate interviews with research team members and primary care providers to identify key indicators associated with clinical trial referral. This research will provide the basis for a standardized methodology to assess the overall capability of trial sites to include minorities, and contribute to the development of interventions aimed at clinical trial sites that address specific barriers associated with the social or physical environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469556
Entities
People
- Celia P. Kaplan
Organizations
- University of California, San Francisco