The American Lung Association is taking steps to improve lung cancer care for the Hispanic community in Port St. Lucie. This initiative is part of their broader Awareness, Trust and Action campaign aimed at raising awareness about clinical trials and addressing misconceptions among patients and caregivers. The campaign seeks to enhance lung cancer outcomes for Hispanic communities locally and nationwide.
Currently, Hispanic individuals make up only 1% of clinical trial participants, a disparity the association hopes to address. Clinical trials are critical research studies that can provide new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases like lung cancer. Often, they offer the most suitable treatment options for patients, potentially extending or saving lives.
Dr. Frank J. Eidelman from the Lung Association’s South Florida Board emphasized the importance of diversity in these trials: “In the past decade, clinical trials have played a crucial role in advancing lung cancer research and improving survival rates. Unfortunately, Hispanic participants are greatly underrepresented, and this campaign brings awareness to this important issue.” He further noted that participation not only benefits those involved by giving access to cutting-edge science but also aids researchers in understanding how treatments work across different populations.
The Awareness, Trust and Action campaign involves interviews with both physicians and patients to pinpoint challenges related to enrolling Hispanic individuals in clinical trials. These discussions have highlighted several recurring themes needing attention.
This project receives partial support from Genentech and Roche.
