Increasing inclusion and equity for Black women in breast cancer clinical trials

Black women diagnosed with breast cancer experience a disproportionately high mortality rate. The disparity in outcomes between Black and White women is multifactorial, with a large portion attributed to lower participation of minorities in clinical trials. The lack of diversity in clinical trials continues to both reflect and contribute to health care inequities, limiting the generalizability of research findings. In addition, women who do not enroll in clinical trials miss out on the standard-of-care or often better patient care provided in these trials. Barriers to enrolling diverse populations encompass system-, provider-, and patient-level barriers. Identifying these barriers and providing actionable solutions are key to bolstering enrollment in clinical trials and ultimately eliminating cancer disparities. This review elucidates the barriers to clinical trial participation in Black women diagnosed with breast cancer and discusses ways to overcome these challenges.