On improving clinical trial diversity: Viewpoints from underrepresented breast cancer survivors.

Abstract

e13674 Background: Racial and ethnic diversity in cancer clinical trials remains low. In this formative work, we sought to better characterize patient attitudes towards clinical trial participation. The goal is to build a framework that can be leveraged to develop an intervention to increase enrollment of participants from racial and ethnic minority groups in clinical trials. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 Black and 10 Hispanic breast cancer survivors receiving care at a comprehensive cancer center in the South. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using thematic analysis. Results: Patient attitudes to clinical trials were generally positive. Many felt that trials were beneficial and a necessary part of advancing medical science. However, many expressed hesitations with regards to trial participation due to safety and efficacy concerns and distrust regarding motivation of healthcare system. Facilitators of positive attitudes towards clinical trials included positive social circles including family and community, as well as altruism regarding supporting racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of implementing strategies to foster diversity in the biomedical research community, community outreach, and lay education, to improve trust in the system and therefore attitudes towards clinical trial participation in minority populations. [Table: see text]