​Kyle DeLeon co-authored publication on improving diversity in clinical trials.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) was featured in a published study as one of several leading national cancer organizations to provide recommendations to expand diverse participation in cancer clinical trials. 

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) jointly released these recommendations to address clinical trials lack of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in their study “Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials: An American Society of Clinical Oncology and Association of Community Cancer Centers Joint Research Statement” - published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. ACS CAN Texas Grassroots Manager Kyle DeLeon was cited as a coauthor of the study based on his extensive involvement with the ASCO-ACCC patient partners advisory Group—comprised of EDI experts and stakeholders as well as the steering Group of cancer research advocates and patients representing racial and ethnic populations. Kyle along with group members convened monthly beginning in the summer of 2020 to review previously compiled data on the current landscape of cancer clinical trials. 

The published study included language referenced in ACS CAN’s Barriers to Patient Enrollment in Therapeutic Clinical Trials for Cancer: A Landscape Report, which is accessible on the ACS CAN website. It also detailed specific actions to engage the entire cancer clinical trial ecosystem in expanding the participation of underrepresented individuals in research that advances progress against cancer. 

Since 2019, Kyle has shared his passion to advocate for cancer patients and their families at ACS CAN based on his own personal experiences as a cancer survivor. His involvement with the study marks an important personal milestone in his work on the advancement of cancer care for all communities. 

“This work is important to me because it represents a significant investment of time and energy aimed at shifting health equity from a concept to an action,” said Kyle. “It’s given me a boost of confidence in knowing that I am fulfilling my role as a cancer-fighting advocate in this lifesaving mission. After experiencing three rounds of BEP chemotherapy in 2018, I survived stage II testicular cancer, which was the same cancer that took the life of my paternal grandfather. I proudly draw upon this experience as a survivor to advocate for other cancer patients and their families.” 

ACS CAN supports several initiatives aimed at removing hurdles to cancer care for underrepresented populations. Learn more about ACS CAN’s advocacy work related to clinical trial diversity and health equity at fightcancer.org.