Dr. Perez shares perspective on new 'Stand Up To Cancer' Health Equity Initiative

Dr. Perez shares perspective on new ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ Health Equity Initiative

By
Joe Dangor

January 27, 2020

Dr. Edith Perez, a Mayo Clinic oncologist and chair of the Stand Up To Cancer committee for health equity in cancer clinical trials today announced a new Stand Up To Cancer Health Equity Initiative aimed at reducing disparities among racial groups in cancer clinical trials.

"Despite an overall decline in U.S. cancer deaths since 1991, not all patients have benefited equally from advances in prevention, early detection, precision medicine and targeted cancer treatments," says Dr. Perez.

Dr. Perez discusses Stand Up to Cancer Health Equity Initiative.

Only 4% of clinical trial participants are black; 4% Hispanic; and 15% Asian, according to the Food and Drug Administration. That's despite minority groups overall in the U.S. having the highest death rate and shortest survival rate for most cancers.

"By having research teams dedicated to cancers that correlate to, or greatly affect different racial and ethnic populations, we'll be able to ensure that strides are being made in cancers that typically affect these populations," says Dr. Perez.

"Support for these teams further demonstrates our commitment to bringing breakthrough therapies to historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and improving overall health equity in cancer research," adds Dr. Perez. "We are proud and excited to play such a large role in serving this unmet need and look forward to setting the tone for scientific research to come."