Promoting Racial Justice in Cancer Clinical Trials: Community Engaged Solutions for Bridging Gaps

IF 2.9 2区医学 Q2 ONCOLOGY

Cancer Medicine Pub Date : 2025-02-19 DOI:10.1002/cam4.70690

Deana M. Williams, Chaya M. Pflugeisen, Khadijah Ameen, Toby K. Chen, Sheree Cooks, Bernadette C. Ray, Melissa Foster, De Phillips, Lizbeth Sanchez, Keywanna Hardiman, Cynthia Smith, Jennifer Slim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Racially and ethnically diverse populations are disproportionately burdened with and more likely to die from cancer than White populations but remain persistently underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. Thus, the safety and efficacy assessments of novel therapies may not apply to all populations, and guidelines are developed using trials that inadequately reflect our population. This study aims to explore healthcare experiences, cancer clinical trial perceptions, and solutions for bridging gaps in cancer clinical trials among communities of color.

Methods

We held a series of five focus groups with 23 survivors and caregivers of color. These sessions explored perspectives around cancer care and research, clinical trials recruitment and messaging, and priorities around addressing the current insufficiency in representation in cancer research.

Results

Our focus group data was analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Four themes were present including (1) high motivation to participate in cancer trials and desire for better outreach and education within communities of color; (2) examples of just care as a model for improving access to clinical trials; (3) manifestations of power and inequity in healthcare inhibiting opportunities for clinical trial participation; and (4) the need for trust-building at the healthcare, community, and interpersonal levels.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that people of color strongly desire clinical trial options and discussions during cancer care, and trust-building is foundational to opening pathways to research participation. We offer concrete steps for increasing racial justice in cancer clinical trials that serve as a point of reflection and guidance for healthcare professionals, researchers, and clinical trials teams.

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来源期刊

Cancer Medicine ONCOLOGY-

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

2.50%

发文量

907

审稿时长

19 weeks

期刊介绍： Cancer Medicine is a peer-reviewed, open access, interdisciplinary journal providing rapid publication of research from global biomedical researchers across the cancer sciences. The journal will consider submissions from all oncologic specialties, including, but not limited to, the following areas: Clinical Cancer Research Translational research ∙ clinical trials ∙ chemotherapy ∙ radiation therapy ∙ surgical therapy ∙ clinical observations ∙ clinical guidelines ∙ genetic consultation ∙ ethical considerations Cancer Biology: Molecular biology ∙ cellular biology ∙ molecular genetics ∙ genomics ∙ immunology ∙ epigenetics ∙ metabolic studies ∙ proteomics ∙ cytopathology ∙ carcinogenesis ∙ drug discovery and delivery. Cancer Prevention: Behavioral science ∙ psychosocial studies ∙ screening ∙ nutrition ∙ epidemiology and prevention ∙ community outreach. Bioinformatics: Gene expressions profiles ∙ gene regulation networks ∙ genome bioinformatics ∙ pathwayanalysis ∙ prognostic biomarkers. Cancer Medicine publishes original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and research methods papers, along with invited editorials and commentaries. Original research papers must report well-conducted research with conclusions supported by the data presented in the paper.