“Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network Inc. (ACORN)” is a unique network consisting of progressive community clinics working together to change how the pattern of the clinical trials could be better implemented. It was founded primarily as ‘The West Clinic’ in Memphis, Tennessee to address the inefficiencies of clinical research. It consists of a group of experts dealing with clinical research, oncology, data management, regulatory, information technology, business development etc.
It has recently come with an announcement that it is going to include underserved communities like African Americans in. The number has increased to 32% from 20% since 2007.
Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, President of ACORN says that “Community oncology clinics care for over 84% of the nation’s cancer patients”. These clinics have dramatically improved access to care including the underserved.
According to the 2000 census, African Americans make up 12.9% of the US population; however they represent only 7.46% of all clinical trial participants down from 7.9%. The reason behind less participation of this sect of population is lack of awareness among them of the availability of such trials.
NCI has also noticed that the physicians don’t discuss the availability of such facilities with these minority groups and there is lack of enough set ups providing such clinical trials to the patients.
There has also been found a problem with the way these clinical trials have been designed. They are too meticulous and standardized and may not include many patients suffering from multiple problems which are more prevalent among the people belonging to the minority population.
Steve Coplon, CEO, has however shown determination to overcome these overcomes these hurdles by crafting a new user friendly model more relevant for these minority groups.
ACORN already provides patients to take advantage of hundred of leading- edge clinical trials for all major cancer disease types in other communities. They are now working upon increasing the participation of the minority in these clinical research operations.
For promoting the participation, they have been spreading awareness the minority and they are trying to spread information about the research possibilities. They are being convinced that participating in the study would provide them with an opportunity to get monitored and receive the highest standard of health care.
Dr. Schwartzberg stated,”Using Community Oncology as the vehicle, we are advancing the War on Cancer to all patient populations”. He says that it is in a manner consistent with the goals laid out in the “President’s Annual Report on Cancer.”
