Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience worse cancer outcomes, and despite years of progress in cancer research and treatment, most research is done primarily in white populations. This leaves uncertainty about the best approaches to treat BIPOC dealing with cancer. There is low participation in Clinical Trials (CT) in the United States for many reasons including the healthcare system, the availability of CTs, and the patient’s other illnesses. These factors more often affect BIPOC patients, and individuals in both medically underserved and low-income communities. Right now, most approaches to increase diversity involve approaching individuals after cancer diagnosis.

The Team proposes doing something entirely different and starting much earlier in the process so that when someone is diagnosed, it won’t be the first time that they hear about CT. This proposal brings together multidisciplinary teams from four New York City institutions charged with reducing the cancer burden that affects approximately two million people living in some of the most diverse and underserved communities in the United States. The intent of this collaborative research is captured by its acronym, DISRUPT: Diversity & IncluSion in Research Underpinning Prevention & Therapy Trials.