People of color more likely to participate in cancer trials

People of color, those with a higher income, and younger individuals are more likely to take part in clinical trials during their cancer treatment, according to a recent study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine.

The study analyzed data collected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, an annual national telephone survey designed to collect health-related data from U.S. adults. Out of the 20,053 respondents, the researchers found an average overall clinical trial participation rate of 6.51%. Among the 17,600 white respondents, participation was 6.24%; among the 943 Black respondents, participation was 8.27%; and among the 445 Hispanic respondents, participation was 11%.

The investigators said that these findings counter the belief that minorities are less likely to participate in health research. They also noted that improving access to transportation, childcare, and health insurance would remove some of the structural and logistical barriers that prevent people from participating in cancer clinical trials.