Why breast cancer clinical trials need more diversity

Breast cancer has a long history. It has been described in medical literature for thousands of years. Physicians have been performing surgeries to treat breast cancer for over a century.

In recent decades, there has been rapid progress in the understanding of what’s happening in the body when a person has breast cancer, leading to the introduction of what is called precision oncology—new categories of anti-cancer treatments, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

While there have been many advancements, there is still more work to be done. To continue improving the ways that breast cancer is detected and treated, there is a need for women with breast cancer to participate in clinical trials.

And there is especially a need for participants from racial and ethnic minorities—groups that have for too long been underrepresented in breast cancer research.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a medical research study involving people. It is generally trying to answer two questions: Is a specific therapeutic approach safe? Is it effective?

Clinical trials can study many different things. One might look at a brand-new treatment option. Another might study whether an existing therapy works more effectively when used at a higher dose. Another might look at the efficacy of existing therapies used in combination with one another.

Clinical trials may offer people access to new therapies that are not yet available, as well as access to better healthcare (as all participants in a clinical trial are closely monitored). They also offer the opportunity to contribute to a better future for people with the same disease you are living with.

Why better representation is needed

The need for more clinical trial participants from racial and ethnic minorities is widely recognized. This is true of clinical trials where the focus is breast cancer—as well as clinical trials where the focus is other forms of cancer or other diseases.

Black or African American people and Hispanic or Latino people accounted for only 8.7 percent and 4.8 percent of participants in clinical trials for cancer therapies between 2000 and 2019. Though participation has increased in recent years, both groups are still underrepresented. American Indian/Alaska Native women are often not included in cancer trials at all.

People with different racial and ethnic backgrounds may be affected differently by disease and may respond differently to treatment. Breast cancer is no exception. For example, Black women overall have a lower lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. However, Black women with breast cancer are more often diagnosed at younger ages, with more aggressive types of cancer, and are more likely to die because of breast cancer.

More participants from racial and ethnic minorities will lead to a better understanding of these differences—and will allow healthcare providers (HCPs) to work toward better treatment outcomes for women that represent racial and ethnic minorities.

Applying to a clinical trial

There are a number of barriers that can prevent a person from participating in a clinical trial. The time, travel, and out-of-pocket costs to participate in a clinical trial are barriers for many people. Many others lack trust in the healthcare system. And many people are not aware that clinical trials are available or that they may qualify to participate.

If you or a loved one is interested in participating in a clinical trial, there are a few ways to get started. One of the best ways is by speaking with an HCP who treats breast cancer. An HCP may be able to help you find a clinical trial, help you apply, and answer any questions you have.

You can also seek out potential clinical trials on your own. Upcoming clinical trial opportunities are listed at ClinicalTrials.gov.