Inclusion of Minority Patients in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: The Role of the Clinical Trial Environment; Final rept. 1 Mar 2006-28 Apr 2008

摘要

Clinical trials are the primary vehicle for transforming laboratory discoveries in breast cancer care into clinical practice. Enhanced participation by minorities in these trials is necessary to assess the effectiveness of advances in breast cancer care among major subpopulations and to ensure equity in the distribution of research benefits. However minority participation in clinical trials will likely remain low without research designed to understand the reasons for limited participation. To address persistent ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer care including participation in research interventions need to assess the broader context of clinical trials and include the larger community where these trials take place. Our study examines the combined effect of these factors on minority referral. Due to challenges in contacting research team members (RTMs) we have developed a protocol to randomly sample clinical trial site locations to identify 100 RTMS to survey. Final versions of the survey instruments have been developed. Lastly a no cost extension has been obtained to complete the project due to changes in staffing and the principal investigator's leave of absence for health reasons. We have also added a new research team member to assist with the study.