### Why Including More Black Men in Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Matters Prostate cancer affects Black men more severely than White men. They are more likely to develop the disease, have it recur, or spread to other parts of the body. Black men are also two to three times more likely to die from prostate cancer compared to White men. Despite these alarming statistics, Black men are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials for prostate cancer. Black men make up 13.4% of the U.S. population but only 6.7% of participants in prostate cancer clinical trials. This disparity has been growing over the past two decades, with the percentage of Black participants declining by 5% each year. Without adequate representation, clinical trials cannot provide accurate information on how new treatments work for the Black community. This lack of data contributes to poorer health outcomes for Black men compared to their White counterparts. For every 100,000 Black men in the U.S., 173 have prostate cancer and 38 die from it. In comparison, for every 100,000 White men, 97 have prostate cancer and 18 die from it. Researchers are still trying to understand why Black men are more affected, but it is likely due to a combination of factors, including genetics, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic conditions. The same factors that contribute to higher prostate cancer rates among Black men also impact their participation in clinical trials. Researchers are actively seeking solutions to improve representation in clinical trials, not just for prostate cancer but for other diseases as well. Some promising approaches include community outreach, education, and partnerships with organizations that serve the Black community. Recent studies have shown that certain drug combinations, such as apalutamide and abiraterone plus prednisone, are more effective in Black men with advanced prostate cancer than in White men. In one study, only 14% of Black participants had died two years after starting the treatment, compared to 33% of White participants. This crucial finding might not have been discovered without sufficient Black representation in the trial. Increasing diversity in clinical trials can lead to important, potentially life-saving treatment breakthroughs for the Black community. It is essential to ensure that clinical research reflects the diversity of the population it aims to serve.