Breaking barriers to access for cancer patients
Understanding and Breaking Barriers to Research Access for Cancer Patients
This project will try ways to make it easier for adults with cancer treated at Clatterbridge to join clinical research, focusing on people from minority ethnic backgrounds, lower-income groups, and those with impaired capacity.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Liverpool) |
| Trial ID | NCT07342335 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational programme will collect information on who currently takes part in research across the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre network and where gaps in participation exist. Teams will use routine data, patient surveys, and stakeholder interviews to identify socio-economic and geographic hotspots of under‑representation. Work will focus on practical barriers to consent and participation within the hub-and-spoke service model serving Cheshire and Merseyside. Findings will be used to design targeted approaches to increase equitable access to clinical research opportunities.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a confirmed cancer diagnosis who are planned to receive or are receiving treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and who can give informed consent are eligible.
Not a fit: People under 18, those not treated at Clatterbridge, or patients with severe co-morbidities that prevent consent or completion of study requirements are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more patients from under‑represented groups could access research opportunities, improving fairness and the relevance of cancer studies to the whole population.
How similar studies have performed: Previous efforts using community outreach, tailored consent processes, and data-driven targeting have shown some success in improving representation but challenges remain and context-specific work is often needed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults over 18 years. No upper age limit * A confirmed diagnosis of cancer * Patient planned to or is receiving treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with severe co-morbidities considered by the screening team to interfere with the individual's ability to complete requirements of the study or to provide informed consent.
Where this trial is running
Liverpool
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre — Liverpool, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.