Avoiding Under-Representation of Women and Minorities in Clinical Trials

Women make up about 52% of the population in the United States, and ethnic groups other than Whites account for 28%.  Women and minority populations experience a disproportionate share of the country's cancer burden, suffering higher rates of cancer morbidity and mortality.  For example, African-American males are diagnosed with cancer approximately 15% more frequently than white males, and have the highest overall cancer mortality rate; disproportionate rates of cervical cancer are also observed in many minority women.