Examining Participation Disparities in Cancer Clinical Trials

Objectives: To examine factors that account for disparities in cancer clinical trial participation.

Sample & Setting: Pooled data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys between 2010 and 2017.

Methods & Variables: Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between participation in clinical trials and demographic and health characteristics, using SAS^® procedures to account for complex sample features.

Results: Univariate analyses showed that age, race, income, and self-rated health status were significantly associated with the likelihood of participating in cancer clinical trials. Binary logistic analyses showed that Black respondents who were ever diagnosed with cancer were more likely to participate in cancer clinical trials relative to White counterparts. Respondents aged 50–64 years were more likely to have participated in cancer clinical trials compared to those aged 65 years or older. However, respondents who self-rated their health as excellent or very good were less likely to participate in cancer clinical trials.

Implications for Nursing: Involving properly trained nurses and nurse practitioners from diverse backgrounds in cancer clinical trials to inform people with cancer about trials and ways to reduce personal barriers will increase participation from all people, regardless of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics.