Enhancing access in breast cancer prevention clinical trials

University Of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City KS

Investigators

Abstract

The need for improving access in cancer clinical trials is well-recognized and a scientific priority. Challenges with access to the highest quality of care are seen throughout the cancer continuum and are present long before an individual is diagnosed with cancer. We need to see representation of all populations in cancer prevention clinical trials so that scientific findings are broadly applicable. Recruitment to cancer prevention trials comes with unique challenges. These challenges become barriers for patients and providers that present as lack of knowledge of cancer risk, lack of awareness of clinical trial opportunities, access due to distance or transportation, time and financial sacrifice. It is imperative that we work towards modernizing our engagement and delivery of cancer prevention research. As clinical director of the KU Cancer Center High Risk Breast Clinic and a Principal Investigator on an early phase breast cancer chemoprevention clinical trial through the NCI Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP-CTNet) I am engaged locally and nationally in breast cancer prevention. I am committed to improving access to breast cancer early detection and prevention. Many of my leadership roles reflect this commitment including chair of the KUCC Cancer Care Delivery Disease Working group, active member of a Breast Cancer Health Equity Task (BCHETF) and nationally a member of an NCI CP-CTNet Workgroup. I have engaged in discussions on a recurrent theme in cancer prevention which is the need for less invasive prognostic biomarkers and the ability to deliver cancer prevention research to a more individuals. My effort on the BCHETF and collaboration with our state’s CDC funded Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program as well as implementation research on improving knowledge of breast cancer risk and genetic risk assessment of our local providers caring for women in our communities have built strong connections with local leaders and organizations that will allow me to be successful in the execution of my R50 proposal. The objective of this R50 Clinical Scientists award is to address the need for modernization in clinical cancer prevention research to improve access in breast cancer prevention clinical trials by 1) adapting our current cancer center clinical trial dashboard to view cancer prevention clinical trial enrollment demographics separately and by specific disease working group; 2) educating patients, providers and community health care ambassadors on breast cancer risk and cancer prevention clinical trial opportunities; and 3) developing a framework to deliver clinical breast cancer prevention trials that is more accessible to the community and all individuals.