Feb 3, 2025 Story by: Editor
A recent survey by the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) has highlighted a significant barrier to Black men’s participation in prostate cancer clinical trials: they are often not asked to participate. The findings, published in Urology Practice, reveal that this lack of invitation is the primary reason Black men choose not to join such trials.
“Prostate cancer patients can gain life-saving treatments from clinical trials,” said Dr. Keith Crawford, MD, PhD, the PHEN Director of Clinical Trials and Patient Education, in a news release about the findings. “A key goal for PHEN is to increase African American participation in clinical trials. Tailored clinical trials have the potential to transform prostate cancer care, decreasing side effects and improving the overall quality of life for each patient.”
The survey reached out to 480 members of PHEN, all Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 115 responded. These respondents, who came from diverse backgrounds in age, education, geography, and socioeconomic status, were asked to complete a 21-question survey on their participation in prostate cancer clinical trials. The survey revealed that only 10.4% of respondents had taken part in a clinical trial. However, all those who participated reported a positive experience, with 75% believing the trial contributed to advancing medical science and 66.7% feeling they received effective treatment.
For those who did not participate in a clinical trial, the most common reasons were not being asked (55.1%) and a lack of information on the risks and benefits (13.5%). While none of the respondents indicated a lack of trust in the healthcare system based on personal experience, 2.2% cited historical mistrust due to studies like the Tuskegee study. The authors suggest that healthcare providers may not ask Black men about trial participation due to a lack of awareness of suitable trials or assumptions about patients’ concerns, such as the legacy of the Tuskegee study or comorbidities.
When asked about what would encourage them to participate in a trial in the future, respondents highlighted the perceived effectiveness of the treatment (54.5%), the potential to advance medical science (45.5%), and minimal side effects (44.4%). Moreover, 89.7% of respondents said it was crucial for a prostate cancer clinical research team to take time to explain the study’s procedures, risks, and benefits, and 56.7% emphasized the importance of trusting the staff’s expertise. Racial diversity among trial investigators was also considered important by many, with some stating that having physicians of the same racial background as the patient would enhance their confidence in the trial.
The findings align with a 2021 study, which showed that when Black patients are offered the opportunity, their participation rate in cancer clinical trials is similar to that of White patients (58.4% vs. 55.1%; P = .88). This underscores the importance of effectively communicating trial opportunities to Black men.
The authors of the survey emphasize the need for stronger collaboration between patients, healthcare professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trial investigators. They call for outreach strategies, including partnerships with churches and advocacy groups, to engage communities and encourage Black men to participate in clinical trials, ensuring more inclusive trial populations. Source: Urology Times
