Challenges in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusionin Research and Clinical Oncology.

Giuseppe Giaccone,Wafik S. El-Deiry

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.642112

Giuseppe Giaccone, Wafik S. El-Deiry

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.642112

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Abstract

Disparities are common and well-known in the field of clinical oncology and cancer research. In patient care, poor access and a number of other factors disadvantage patients and this can lead to inadequate screening, prevention or treatment of cancer and poor patient outcomes. World-wide, socioeconomic status, health care expenditures and a number of other challenges contribute to disparities in cancer care and patient outcomes. Access to cancer clinical trials remains inadequate for underrepresented minorities as well as non-white racial and ethnic groups. There are also disparities and many challenges in the biomedical research enterprise that can limit innovation and that must be addressed as part of active interventions.

Highlights

Specialty section: This article was submitted to Cancer Molecular Targets and Therapeutics, a section of the journal Frontiers in Oncology
Poor access and a number of other factors disadvantage patients and this can lead to inadequate screening, prevention or treatment of cancer and poor patient outcomes
World-wide, socioeconomic status, health care expenditures and a number of other challenges contribute to disparities in cancer care and patient outcomes

Summary

DISPARITIES IN CANCER CARE

There is much evidence in support of disparities as an important factor in patient outcomes in the field of oncology [1,2,3,4], and this has become even more apparent in the COVID era [5, 6]. Socioeconomic status is an important contributing factor in the quality of cancer care and disparities in patient survival. Among patients with advanced breast cancer there are a number of challenges that contribute to disparities in outcomes among underserved patient populations. Such disparities have been classified at the level of the individual or at a healthcare system level in a recent pan-European study that convened an expert panel [12]. Coordinated efforts, including cooperation between countries, to address the challenges that lead to healthcare disparities among patients with metastatic breast cancer could improve outcomes and reduce disparities among the underserved patient populations [12]

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND IMPACT ON CANCER OUTCOMES

DISPARITIES IN CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS

IN BASIC SCIENCE WIDENS DISPARITIES

DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO THE PUBLISHED LITERATURE

Findings

INEQUITIES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH