Of all adult patients with cancer in the United States who are candidates for participation in a clinical trial, less than 5 percent are enrolled. And of the 230 trials that led to FDA oncology drug approvals between 2008 and 2018, Blacks and Hispanics represented 3.1% and 6.1% respectively of the patients studied.
As the founders of For the Breast of Us, the first inclusive community for women of color affected by breast cancer, we recognize both the privilege and responsibility to help minority women overcome the harsh disparities we’ve faced for decades. We understand the value of medical research and that the significant underrepresentation of people of color in clinical trials means that the communities facing the greatest disparities are also those that are missing the opportunities to benefit from the latest in innovative medicine.
As we celebrate our second Breast Cancer ACTION Month, we announce with great excitement our new research study in collaboration with Sommer Consulting, a market research company and certified Minority and Women-Owned Small Business. Together, we hope to explore the nuances of clinical trial barriers for women of color affected by breast cancer, and to provide actionable steps that the various stakeholders in the breast cancer community can take to address the underrepresentation of minority women in medical research.
“We are not a nonprofit. We are a media company created for and by women of color affected by breast cancer,” said Jasmine Souers, co-founder of For the Breast of Us. “Everything we do is about creating content and opportunities to help minority women better navigate their breast cancer journeys. Providing women with a supportive community and the tools and resources to make the best treatment decisions for themselves is one piece of that. But we would be remiss if we didn’t do our part to help address a complex issue that directly affects the community we love and serve.”
Sommer Consulting is a consulting firm specializing in custom, primary qualitative research. It has extensive experience in women’s healthcare, clinical trials, and health literacy, and for more than 40 years, Sommer Consulting has harnessed the power of clear communication to improve patient outcomes. It does this by going beyond simply listening to surface-level responses. By understanding the linguistic structure of both questions and answers, Sommer Consulting works to provide insights into speakers’ structure of thinking, enabling the firm to amplify those voices.
“We are honored that For The Breast of Us is sharing their expertise and passion to lead this research, ensuring that patient voices are always kept front and center throughout the research process,” said Juliette Faughnan, president of Sommer Consulting.
We will be conducting primary qualitative and quantitative research, and analyzing social media conversations to:
- Understand current perspectives on clinical trials
- Identify the barriers to inclusion for BIWOC women in research
- Explore patient-driven possibilities, strategies, and solutions
Specifically, we will explore how key players in the clinical trial space—pharmaceutical companies, clinical trial researchers, oncologists, advocates, communities, etc. — can better bridge the gaps that exist to help mobilize the breast cancer community, assist women of color in overcoming these barriers, and increase clinical trial diversity.
Phase 1 of research will consist of one-on-one, in-depth interviews and will begin in the second half of October. Phase 2 of research will consist of a large-scale survey that will be grounded in the findings from Phase 1.
If you are interested in participating in either phase of this research, or even other healthcare studies on different topics, please click here.
“Everyone who breast cancer patients go to for information has a role to play in addressing breast cancer health disparities,” said Marissa Thomas, co-founder of For the Breast of Us. “We hope this study will help the breast cancer community give women of color the fighting chance our counterparts have.”
To learn more, contact:
Juliette Faughnan, President
Sommer Consulting
Mary Fox, Lead Digital Linguist,
Sommer Consulting
