MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Participating in National Pilot Project to Increase Diversity in Cancer Treatment Trials

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is participating by invitation in a national pilot project being conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC). The pilot project is testing a research site self-assessment tool and training program focused on increasing racial and ethnic diversity among cancer treatment trial participants.

Robert A Somer, MD

Robert A Somer, MD

“We are hopeful that by participating in this research we will have a better understanding of potential barriers which may prevent segments of the community who are underrepresented in cancer research from fully participating in available treatments and clinical trials,” Robert A. Somer, MD, head of the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology and director, Cancer Clinical Trials Program at MD Anderson at Cooper.

The joint ASCO-ACCC initiative was designed to identify and implement novel strategies and practical solutions to increase cancer treatment trial participation among patients from racial and ethnic minority communities, which continue to be under-represented in cancer research when compared with the overall population of patients with cancer.

MD Anderson at Cooper will be testing the feasibility and utility of the resources and training and will provide feedback to ASCO and ACCC.

MD Anderson at Cooper became involved in the initiative to help identify research site factors, such as policies, procedures, programs, and infrastructure, that may be impacting which patients are screened for and offered a cancer treatment trial, as well as factors impacting patient participation and retention.

Data collection for the pilot project will conclude in December 2021. ASCO and ACCC aim to rollout an updated implicit bias training program and site-self assessment tool to the larger oncology community in late spring 2022.

To learn more about the collaboration, visit ASCO.org/asco-accc.

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Wendy A. Marano
Public Relations Manager
marano-wendy@cooperhealth.edu
Office: 856.382.6463
Cell: 856.904.1688

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