In a survey of metastatic breast cancer patients, 40% of Black respondents reported that their providers did not inform them about the opportunity to enroll in a clinical trial, according to research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting. 

The survey, from the Black Experience of Clinical Trial and Opportunities for Meaningful Engagement (BECOME) initiative included 424 patients with metastatic breast cancer, with 102 self-identifying as Black. 

The Black respondents were less likely than non-Black respondents to indicate they trust trials (73% vs. 91%). They were also less likely to trust that people of all races and ethnicities get fair treatment in trials (32% vs. 56%). 

Black respondents were more likely to value receiving trial information from someone of the same racial or ethnic identity at 67% compared to non-Black respondents at 10%. 

An overwhelming majority, 83% of Black respondents were motivated to participate in clinical trials to ensure people with their racial or ethnic identity would benefit, compared to 51% of non-Black respondents. 

“Clinical trial populations also need to reflect the diversity of the general population before oncologists can understand how a drug works across subpopulations. A better understanding of barriers and facilitators to participation allows for the identification of strategies to increase diversity in trials,” according to an ASCO press release on the research. 

The study investigators seek to “enhance clinical trial awareness by informing patients, increasing education, training healthcare providers to deliver patient-friendly information in an unbiased manner and providing messaging from people of shared racial and ethnic backgrounds and health experiences,” according to the release. 

In 2020, ASCO and the Association of Community Cancer Centers collaborated to increase the diversity of racial and ethnic populations in cancer treatment trials. Pilot testing of a research site self-assessment tool and implicit bias training program involving more than 70 research sites across the US is complete. 

The assessment and training will be available for free public access in the summer.  

 
Reference: 
https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/user/login?destination=%2Fembargo%2Frecord%2F208058%2Fabstract 

Disclosures: Some authors declared financial ties to drugmakers. See full study for details. 

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