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One Roadblock Keeps Most Cancer Patients From Joining Clinical Trials, Experts Say
Financial challenges reduce cancer patient trial enrollment, with higher income increasing participation odds by up to 67%, prompting calls for support programs to improve access.
- On Dec. 23, 2025 HealthDay reported that researchers found finances are the main reason many cancer patients do not join clinical trials, outweighing race or background, according to the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
- Practical costs such as transportation, child care and lost wages explain why Medicaid-insured patients were 29% less likely to enroll, while racial gaps became insignificant after income adjustment.
- Using records from more than 12,000 patients at University Hospitals in Northeast Ohio, researchers found only 5% participated in trials, while higher income raised enrollment odds by up to 67%.
- Researchers urged programs to reimburse travel and lost wages, recommending child care and transportation vouchers to make trials more equitable and speed U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals.
- Researchers are expanding the analysis across Ohio centers and networks, and a larger follow-up study will map 'clinical trial deserts' to identify structural barriers blocking access.
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22 Articles
22 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
34% Left
L 34%
C 33%
R 33%
Factuality
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