Kimberly (Cary) Demirhan concludes a three-part collection on bringing most cancers analysis to the group setting.
This conclusion to a three-part collection on bringing most cancers analysis to the group setting options Kimberly (Cary) Demirhan, a registered nurse, in an interview with CURE.
Demirhan discusses methods for partaking underrepresented communities in most cancers analysis, emphasizing the significance of constructing belief, making medical trials culturally related, and sustaining transparency all through the enrollment course of.
She is the assistant director of Training Applications on the Affiliation of Most cancers Care Facilities and works as a PRN Coronary heart Transplant nurse at MedStar Washington Hospital Middle, situated in Washington, D.C.
CURE: How can healthcare suppliers construct belief with communities which have traditionally been underrepresented in medical trials?
Demirhan: There was a summit final October the place we introduced in all kinds of individuals to speak about this and the best way to construct belief. I believe the important thing phrase there’s “construct.” Belief is not simply given; it must be earned over time. We’ve got to maintain that idea in our minds as we glance to attach with underrepresented communities which have traditionally been mistreated or have not had one of the best expertise with the healthcare group.
Our take is to begin engagement properly earlier than prognosis, particularly once we give attention to medical trials. This implies partnering with group leaders, faith-based teams and native organizations to lift consciousness about what medical trials are, what they imply and who may want them. This schooling helps these communities study medical trials lengthy earlier than they may want one so it turns into part of their commonplace data. They will see it as an choice for them, a beloved one or their baby in the event that they ever get sick. Scientific trials should not be seen as a scary factor however as a robust device to assist deal with sufferers the place they’re.
What methods could make medical trials extra accessible and culturally related for sufferers from various backgrounds?
A few different issues we are able to work on to construct belief are guaranteeing our trial supplies are culturally related and language-appropriate. For instance, if the group I work in is primarily Spanish-speaking, I need to guarantee all my sources, together with my consent kinds and something associated to that trial, are translated into Spanish. This manner, they perceive on the identical degree because the English-speaking affected person inhabitants.
Lastly, we must be clear all through the method. Enrolling a affected person in a medical trial is not a gross sales alternative; it is a real dialog concerning the dangers and advantages of becoming a member of. We must be sincere about what they will count on and why it might or will not be higher than what’s at the moment supplied in the marketplace. It is also vital to contain sufferers and communities within the trial’s design to grasp what’s vital to them and what may restrict their participation. By taking this suggestions under consideration from the start, the trials will probably be constructed for them and what they’re searching for when it comes time for them to enroll. This makes the trials really feel much less like a stretch from what’s regular or what they’re used to.
Why is transparency vital when enrolling sufferers in medical trials, and the way can it enhance participation?
I wish to finish with a name to motion. ACCC and ACorI are targeted on bringing teams collectively to unravel these limitations to medical trial entry. As listeners, we encourage you to speak about medical trials along with your physicians, different healthcare professionals and your households. Talk about what it could imply so that you can be in a medical trial so you may start to grasp the method now.
You must also discuss to the organizations you are concerned with and your skilled societies. Whereas many are taking a look at medical trials and these limitations, ACCC is targeted on bringing these teams collectively so we are able to make incremental change collectively over time.
I’m accessible to everybody; I like to speak to sufferers and organizations. I need to guarantee we’re all working collectively in a community-based format to make a distinction.
References
- “Bringing Most cancers Analysis to the Group: Strategic Approaches to Consultant Oncology Scientific Trial Design,” by Dr. Nicole A Colwell, et al. ACCC Group Oncology Analysis Institute.
- “Increasing Scientific Trial Entry for Sufferers With Most cancers,” by Ryan Scott. CURE, Aug. 11, 2025. https://www.curetoday.com/view/expanding-clinical-trial-access-for-patients-with-cancer
- Emphasizing the Want for Extra Range in Most cancers Scientific Trials, by Ryan Scott. CURE. Aug. 20, 2025. https://www.curetoday.com/view/emphasizing-the-need-for-more-diversity-in-cancer-clinical-trials
Transcript has been edited for readability and conciseness
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