How healthcare access barriers affect ovarian cancer survival

A Role of Multilevel Healthcare Access Dimensions in Ovarian Cancer Disparities

['FUNDING_R37'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11167450

This project looks at how different barriers to getting care and ongoing stress affect treatment and survival for women with ovarian cancer, with attention to disparities affecting Black women.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R37']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11167450 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From a patient's point of view, researchers will use the ORCHiD network and linked cancer registry and Medicare records to follow women with ovarian cancer over time and track who gets guideline surgery and full chemotherapy. They will combine those records with measures of societal stress and discrimination to see how chronic stress and access problems relate to treatment and outcomes. The work focuses on differences between non-Hispanic Black and White patients and on multiple access barriers such as transportation, insurance, and facility availability. The team aims to pinpoint where gaps occur so future programs can target the biggest barriers to care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This applies to women diagnosed with ovarian cancer whose medical care is recorded in US cancer registries or Medicare, especially older and non-Hispanic Black patients.

Not a fit: People whose care is not captured in registries or Medicare (for example younger, uninsured, or out-of-network patients) or whose outcomes are driven mainly by tumor biology rather than access may not directly benefit from these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify concrete access problems to target so more women receive guideline care and have better survival, especially among Black patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that guideline-concordant surgery and chemotherapy improve survival, but few studies have linked those differences to societal stress and multilevel access pathways in this way.

Where this research is happening

DURHAM, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Patient, Cancer Treatment

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.