Is Your Community Underrepresented in Clinical Trials? How Your Participation Can Help

Cancer treatments, like all medications, may have varying effectiveness in different people. This means diversity in clinical trials is essential to make sure the treatment is safe and effective.

Plus, participating in clinical trials can lead to benefits that all should have access to.

“Clinical trials [need] a diverse population because it is critical for all patients to have access to the latest cutting-edge research treatments,” explains June Y. Hou, MD, Gynecologic Oncologist at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.

Why are some groups underrepresented in cancer clinical trials?

Some communities may not be well represented in clinical trials because they simply may not know that clinical trials are an option.

“I always encourage [people] at any point in their cancer treatment journey to talk to their doctors and to see if there is a clinical trial option that’s available for them,” says Hou.

There may be other barriers that keep you from participating in clinical trials, including logistical barriers, financial barriers, cultural barriers, or language barriers. Feel empowered to discuss any of these potential barriers with your cancer care team because there may be resources available that can help you overcome them.

How are clinical trials today safer than in the past?

You may also be hesitant of clinical trials or medical research because of unfair, unethical, or even abusive medical practices against marginalized groups in the past. 

Researchers have learned and continue to learn from past mistakes in order to provide the best and safest care to all people. Today, clinical trials have safeguards in place to reduce risk, such as: 

• Independent committees that review clinical trial designs and data for safety

• A structure of four stages to confirm safety of the medication early on

• An informed consent process so all participants know the design, risks, and benefits of the study

“Clinical trials are designed and optimized to protect and ensure safety for all participants,” says Hou.

Who is underrepresented in cancer clinical trials?

As far as who may be underrepresented in clinical trials, these groups can include:

• Racial and ethnic minorities

• Women

• Low-income communities

• People from rural communities

• Older adults

• People with disabilities

• LGBTQ+ communities

Hou says that by participating in a clinical trial, you are helping to advance cancer treatments for people in your own community and beyond.

“You will help the medical researchers in understanding the effectiveness of the drug in patients from similar backgrounds and patients from the same community where you may come from,” she adds.