Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Clinical research is necessary to ensure that new cancer treatments are safe and effective. Cancer
treatments may differ in effectiveness based on patient differences in age, gender, race, lifestyle
behavior and genetics. Therefore, having a diverse sample of clinical trial participants ensures that the
trial population is representative of the patients who will subsequently use the treatments. Enrolling
participants from racial/ethnic minority groups is particularly important because racial/ethnic minorities
suffer disproportionately from cancer and are more likely to die when diagnosed with cancer than
Whites. Disparities in cancer outcomes is most strikingly seen in breast cancer, where despite the
advances in breast cancer treatment, black women are 40% more likely to die than their white
counterparts. Yet, nationally only 5% of clinical trial participants are from racial/ethnic minority
populations. Increasing enrollment of minorities ensures that all patients benefit from effective cancer
treatment. Markey Cancer Center (MCC) is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Kentucky, thus
recognized as a clinical leader in cancer diagnosis, treatment and clinical trial research. Yet only 3% of
MCC clinical trial participants are Black. This research will explore from the perspective of patients the
factors that determine whether a patient participates in a clinical trial or not. Moreover, we will
administer a survey to clinicians (e.g. nurses, physicians, trainees) to assess their knowledge and
confidence level in having a culturally appropriate discussion with racial/ethnic minority patients about
clinical trial enrollment. We will engage MCC stakeholders, e.g. Clinical Research Office, Community
Advisory Board, Patient Advisory Group, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Committee and use an
iterative process to develop clinician training and to develop and refine culturally appropriate patient
education materials. We will then develop a structured process that ensures that all patients have basic
information regarding clinical trial enrollment. We will evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies
through the administration of a repeat survey to clinicians and through periodic reports of progress. This
project will strengthen the Cancer Centers upcoming application for comprehensive status, which is the
highest NCI-designation and will ensure that all Kentuckians benefit from advancements in cancer
treatment.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 10/1/21 → 9/30/23 |
Funding
- Markey Cancer Center Foundation: $50,000.00
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