Challenges in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Research and Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Disparities are common and well-known in the field of clinical oncology and cancer research. In patient care, poor access and a number of other factors disadvantage patients and this can lead to inadequate screening, prevention or treatment of cancer and poor patient outcomes. World-wide, socioeconomic status, health care expenditures and a number of other challenges contribute to disparities in cancer care and patient outcomes. Access to cancer clinical trials remains inadequate for underrepresented minorities as well as non-white racial and ethnic groups. There are also disparities and many challenges in the biomedical research enterprise that can limit innovation and that must be addressed as part of active interventions.

Health Care Utilization and Anti-Cancer Drug Expenditure for Six Solid Cancers in Korea From 2007 to 2019

“…Despite increasing attention to cancer care, ethnic disparites have been coutinued to be a critical problem even in developed countires such as Europe and Untied States. Also, there is a lack of evidence in cancer care oversight among heterogenous population from Asia and Africa countires ( 4 ). This results will be important evidence of epidemiological data on cancer patients and cancer care treatement pattern.…”

“…In response to this action, the World Health Organization (WHO) has begun to monitor the cancer burden. However, access to cancer clinical trials of non-white racial groups remains one of the challenges of diversity to address in cancer care and biomedical research ( 4 ).…”

Four strategic areas to advance equitable implementation of evidence-based practices in cancer care

“…In adults with less than high school education, the difference is even starker (71% completion rate in those with a college degree in contrast to 47% among those without a high school degree) [ 21 ]. For treatment, these disparities start at the point of clinical trials (i.e., disproportionately low enrollment of racially and ethnically diverse trial participants) and continue through differential access to treatment [ 108 ]. Applying principles from implementation science to target both core determinants of inequities and disparities at each phase can help to ensure all populations benefit from cancer innovation [ 21 , 109 ].…”

Please mind the gap—about equity and access to care in oncology

“…Considering the health care staff, the literature has stressed how a diverse clinical workforce can facilitate the sensitiveness and attention towards the inequalities in care. 14 , 38 , 39 Ensuring diversity in clinical staff has proved to reach higher patient satisfaction and better clinical outcomes, 40 , 41 as professionals who are already keen on bridging the gaps with their peers 14 may be more willing to do so also in dealing with their patients.…”