Should We Worry that Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Trials Are Becoming Less Diverse?

Head and neck cancer clinical trials have a diversity issue. According to the recent study, “Diversity in U.S. Clinical Trials for Head and Neck Cancer: Are We Improving?” conducted by Boston University, head and neck cancer (HNC) trials from 2000 to 2023 showed a significant increase in White participants and a decrease in other racial groups. Over the last ten years, this phenomenon has been especially surprising because it stands in contrast to ongoing efforts to promote inclusive access. Worsening representation is particularly problematic given that historical research has shown that Black people tend to be diagnosed with head and neck cancers—including throat, lips, mouth, and more—two to four times more than Whites. Prior research underscores the need for inclusive access to trials and treatments for these kinds of cancers, which have complicated racial and rural disparities. “Clinical trials are designed to answer specific questions about safety, benefits, side effects, and whether some people benefit more than others,” Aleya Lyn, MS, BSN, RN, OCN, Clinical Trials Nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center explains. Over the past 20 years, they found that White patient participation increased 6.1 percent, while the Black patient population increased only 0.8 percent. The Asian and...