Abstract A6: Preliminary findings of Latinos and Native Americans on clinical trials participation

Racial and ethnic groups are severely underrepresented in clinical trials in the United States. This Nevada based study addresses the Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan to increase the number and diversity of clinical trial participants in Nevada. We provide preliminary findings on Latino and Native Americans current views toward cancer and cancer trials and the influences that affect decisions about seeking cancer treatment or cancer prevention as part of a cancer trial. We are excerpting the findings from a larger study where 5 racial/ethnic groups were part of this study. We will provide comparative data for two groups from focus group (FG) research and a population based randomized survey (N=1,388) conducted spring and summer of 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. We provide these two groups views and findings.

Conclusions: We found in the two FGs, ethnic variation on issues about trust in the research process, about participation in clinical trials and what constitutes an ‘incentive’ to participate in a clinical trial. We also found similar beliefs about cancer and the cancer trials process within and between each of the focus groups.

Preliminary survey data indicates that there is a strong need for educational programs in underserved populations, especially among Latinos and Native Americans. Likewise, educational program efforts about cancer and the cancer trials process need to be delivered with sensitivity to cultural beliefs and historical relationships between racial/ethnic groups and the medical establishment. Clinical trials educational programs should be tailored to unique ethnic groups so that knowledge of cancer and the cancer trials process can be most clearly understood.