In U.S. cancer research, the most promising clinical trials are done mostly on white patients, which means people of color—and especially African Americans—are underrepresented in research that might save their lives. In this episode, a young, black medical student joins a team of Boston scientists to try to bring more African American patients into their study, but has to contend with the long history of medical mistreatment that could keep them away.

Guests

Shawn Johnson, student at Harvard Medical School

Harriet Washington, author of Medical Apartheid

Corrie Painter, associate director of Count Me In 

Bridgette Hempstead, president and founder of Cierra Sisters

Footnotes

Learn more about the Metastatic Breast Cancer Project, led by Nikhil Wagle and directed by Corrie Painter. Check out Count Me In to learn about their projects with other types of cancer.

ProPublica recently investigated the underrepresentation of black people and Native Americans in trials for cancer drugs.

The group of Howard University students recruiting for the project is called H.U.M.B.L.E.

of-clinical-trials.html">Clinical trials come in phases, and not all of them have the same diversity problems. In Phase I, researchers study the safety of treatments, and typically test them on healthy subjects (so not patients who would therapeutically benefit from the treatment). Some research has found that people of color are over-represented in Phase I trials.

Check out this review of barriers to minority representation. Note that mistrust of medical professionals might not be the main barrier to participation, but it's an important issue in itself.

Learn more about the history of gynecology and racism in Medical Bondage by Deirdre Cooper Owens.

New York City took down the statue of J. Marion Sims in April, but left the granite pedestal

(Elah Feder)

 

Credits

Undiscovered is produced by Elah Feder and Annie Minoff. This week, we had production help from Alexa Lim, story consulting from Linda Villarosa, and fact checking help from Robin Palmer.

Our senior editor is Christopher Intagliata, our composer is Daniel Peterschmidt, and our production intern is Kaitlyn Schwalje. Our theme music is by I Am Robot And Proud.