We’ve talked at length in this series about the unfortunate disparities in the Hispanic/Latinx population in the United States when it comes to cancer care. We also know that cancer is the leading cause of death in this population.
But there is another key element that can’t be ignored. And that is the enormous under-utilization of cancer clinical trials in this population.
I have an obvious bias toward clinical trials because a trial saved my life. And if it weren’t for the many others who came before me and enrolled in a trial, I would not be alive. And my wife is Hispanic/Latinx and the love of my life, and she also saved my life in all kinds of ways.
I would love to see the Hispanic/Latinx community come together nationally and spread the word about the importance of trials. This is such a vibrant and fast-growing population.
We hope to see these Americans embrace trials, which are a vitally important tool for oncologists and researchers to provide novel treatments, diagnostics, and supportive interventions to patients with cancer, including of course in their own communities.
These trials save lives and bring new, better treatments to patients of all races. They open new frontiers and entirely new types of therapies such as immunotherapy and so much more.
To date, only 2% to 8% of Hispanic/Latinx patients with cancer participate in clinical trials, according to JCO, a journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
According to the American Cancer Society, cultural factors, including language, values, and traditions, may influence behaviors, beliefs about illness, and approaches to medical care, and that could be a major obstacle for those who need care.
Cultural competency is a set of attitudes, skills, behaviors, and policies that enable organizations and individuals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. Many experts suggest that improving cultural competency among health care providers could help reduce health disparities.
The complexity of protocol design in clinical trials are another barrier to clinical trial enrollment for both children and adults, especially in populations with lower literacy and/or limited English proficiency.
Focus group discussions conducted by Pew Research Center in July 2021 showed the range of considerations that are top of mind for Black and Hispanic Americans when it comes to taking part in a clinical trial.
Several participants talked about the desire to help others by participating in clinical trials, and some mentioned the potential benefits to help them with a medical condition of their own.
Others talked about the possible benefit from financial compensation, especially at a time in life when finances were stretched.
Several focus group participants talked about balancing their desire to help others with wanting to protect themselves from potential harm.
Some explained that they would not personally participate in a clinical trial because they felt there would be too much uncertainty or risk to their own health.
My hope is that the cancer community – oncologists, nurses, hospital executives, researchers – can address the complexity of issues that present a barrier to clinical trial enrollment of both children and adults, especially in populations with lower literacy and/or limited English proficiency.
We all need to do better.
