Effort to Improve Lung Cancer Care for South Florida’s Hispanic Community Highlights Local Survivor’s Story

Diversity and representation in clinical trials leads to better treatment options for all. Yet Hispanic individuals account for only 1 percent of clinical trial participants. Hispanic individuals deserve to benefit from the cutting-edge therapies clinical trials may offer. That’s why the American Lung Association is expanding its Awareness, Trust and Action campaign to Miami and Fort Lauderdale to raise awareness of clinical trials, address misconceptions and empower patients and caregivers. The goal of the program is to improve lung cancer care and outcomes for Hispanic communities locally and across the U.S.

Clinical trials are highly monitored research studies that try to find new and better ways to prevent, detect or treat a disease like lung cancer. Sometimes, clinical trials offer the most appropriate treatment option for a lung cancer patient, potentially saving or extending the participant’s life.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Florida and across the country. In the past decade, clinical trials have played a crucial role in advancing lung cancer research and improving survival rates. Unfortunately, Hispanic participants are greatly underrepresented, and this campaign brings awareness to this important issue,” said Dr. Ana Botero, member of the Lung Association’s South Florida Board and radiation oncologist with Baptist Health South Florida. “Increasing diversity in clinical trials saves lives and is necessary for a lasting impact. Not only do trial participants benefit from the latest science and treatments, but researchers can better understand how lung cancer treatments work in different populations. Ultimately, clinical trials can give future lung cancer patients better, lifesaving treatments.”

As part of the campaign, Miami Dade resident Irisaida Mendez shared her experiences with cancer and how clinical trials can be a lifesaving treatment option for some. She has been living with stage IV cancer since being diagnosed in 2017. She had a lobectomy and chemotherapy, but the cancer kept spreading. Then doctors offered her a new immunotherapy to extend her life. Thankfully, the treatment has been working well. Mendez is a passionate advocate for research so that we may one day find a cure for lung cancer.

“As a lung cancer survivor, I had to make many decisions about my health,” Mendez said. “What helped me the most was to be informed. I tell others facing cancer to ask questions and explore all of your options, like clinical trials.”

The Awareness, Trust and Action campaign seeks to:

• Raise awareness among Hispanic lung cancer patients/caregivers (as well as the larger Hispanic community) about the availability and importance of clinical trials as a treatment option for lung cancer;
• Address misconceptions and mistrust around clinical trials and convey their value as a potential treatment option; and
• Empower Hispanic individuals to take action by talking with their doctors about lung cancer clinical trials.

Learn more about the Awareness, Trust and Action campaign here. (Leer en español.)

Support for this project provided in part by Genentech and Roche.