UK launches project to improve diversity in breast cancer trials

The UK’s NHS Race and Health Observatory has announced a new pilot project to increase the number of black, Asian and ethnic minority patients taking part in breast cancer clinical trials.

Launched in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and supported by pharmaceutical giant Roche, the campaign aims to improve health equity in breast cancer clinical trial representation by raising awareness, improving communications and providing longer-term support to patients.

The project is hoped to design new ways for people with breast cancer to access clinical trials and better information processes.

It will involve recruitment of two specialist nurses – one at The Christie and one at Bart’s Health – employed to give patients one-on-one support throughout the process.

As part of the collaboration, the Caribbean African Health Network will lead on engaging breast cancer service users in the wider community, beyond clinical settings.

There are multiple barriers around recruitment, communication and retention of black, Asian and ethnic minority patients in clinical trials.

The NHS Race and Health Observatory said historically, data from across the UK show people from an ethnic minority background are poorly underrepresented in many clinical trials.

Current research from the UK Health Security Agency and Breast Cancer.Org show that when it comes to breast cancer, young black women in particular have more aggressive tumour profiles, present with later stages of disease, have higher mortality rates, and experience poorer cancer care, further strengthening the rationale to increase participation from these groups in clinical trials.

“Across the Black community there is an undoubted legacy of disengagement in research and most certainly clinical trials that stems back decades as a result of mistrust,” said Charles Kwaku-Odoi, chief executive of the Caribbean African Health Network.

This has not served us well because it leads to a lack of appropriate interventions that perpetuate the grave health inequalities in breast cancer care.

“This partnership approach to build solutions to improve engagement in clinical trials in breast cancer treatment and care is very much welcomed.

“We are looking forward to working in a collaborative way to build trust, improve awareness and ensure that barriers surrounding access to clinical trials are addressed.”

‘White person’s disease’

Dr Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: “There is a broad misperception that black women don’t suffer as much from breast cancer or it does not run in their family history.

“This can result in the perception that cancer is a white person’s disease. We want this pilot to encourage women at risk, those already diagnosed and individuals undergoing post treatment to come forward and share their experiences and get the information needed.”

He added: “We believe that when targeted, culturally sensitive interventions and communications are put in place, underrepresented groups can be successfully recruited into clinical trials.

“There is no ‘hard to reach’ community when it comes to addressing potentially fatal health conditions.”

Professor Richard Simcock, chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “As a breast cancer oncologist, I want to know that research is relevant to the people we see in clinic. Historically that has not been the case.

“I’m delighted that Macmillan can support this project to ensure that future evidence from clinical trials is representative and inclusive.”

Richard Erwin, general manager at Roche Products, added: “The recruitment of people from minority ethnic groups is a pressing concern for researchers and the research community.

“Roche is committed to overcoming these disparities and addressing barriers to clinical trial participation across all patients and groups.

“Programmes such as this one are vital in helping us enhance the future designs of our clinical trials and ensure greater inclusion and better patient access to all of our clinical trials.”