Decision-making issues for randomized clinical trial participation among Hispanics.

Despite large numbers of eligible patients, accrual into randomized cancer clinical trials (RCTs) remains low.1 Little is understood about reasons for low RCT accrual of ethnic minorities. Hispanic participation in RCTs is far below their representation in the general population.2,3 When comparing Hispanic and non-Hispanic cancer incidence and mortality, Hispanics carry a higher burden due to cervix, stomach, and liver cancer, and the death rates for easily detectable cancers (eg, breast) are decreasing more slowly for Hispanics than for non-Hispanics.4,5 Without an ethnically and culturally representative sample in RCTs, the generalization of findings becomes questionable for minority cancer patients.6 To date, we have insufficient information from the patient perspective about what is needed to make an informed decision about enrollment in cancer RCTs.7-9 It is therefore critical that local cancer providers realize the diverse needs of our community. The purpose of this project was to better understand RCT decision-making issues among Hispanics.