The aim of the Cancer Patients Alliance for Clinical Trials & Survivorship (CancerPACT) initiative of Cancer Patients Alliance is to increase Latino and other minority participation in adult cancer clinical trials. We are concentrating initial efforts in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Salinas Valley, California; and Denver, Colorado. Local hospital and health providers will provide cancer trial participation data that will permit us to assess the effectiveness of our efforts.

Participation by women, the elderly, and members of minority groups has historically been very low in cancer clinical trials. This is particularly true of Latino-Americans. They are 15% of the US population, but comprise only 5% of the cancer clinical trial population.