Improving representation in clinical trials

Published: 07 January 2026

Hear from people who were involved in a pilot project to address inequity in breast cancer clinical trials, by raising awareness of trials, enhancing communication with patients, and offering one-to-one support. The project was a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Roche Products Limited, and the NHS Race and Health Observatory (NHSRHO).

Learn more about the project and download leaflets about clinical trials for patients and healthcare professionals in 4 different languages.

Marcella Turner - Founder and CEO of Can-Survive UK

Can-Survive UK is a charity based in Manchester. It provides culturally sensitive support and information primarily, however not exclusively, for African and Caribbean people living with and beyond cancer, their families, and carers.

Their founder and CEO, Marcella Turner, shares how important it is for people from the African Caribbean community to take part in research and trials so that the health inequalities that exist do not get even wider.

Judith Neptial - co-founder of From Me to You: The Art of Survival

Judith is the co-founder of From Me to You: The Art of Survival, a UK-based organisation focused on educating, empowering, and supporting Black and marginalised cancer communities and their carers. They exist to reduce healthcare inequalities for people of colour and challenge the taboos surrounding cancer, ensuring equal access to care and information.

Gloria

Gloria is a nurse and mother to 3 children. She took part in clinical trials for breast cancer after reacting badly to chemotherapy.

Sukhy

Sukhy took part in a clinical trial after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Sukhy sadly passed away in February 2025. We are grateful to her family for letting us share her story and her work on this project to improve access to clinical trials for people from ethnically diverse communities.

Martina

Martina was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2019. She hadn't heard of clinical trial drugs and learnt about them through a Facebook group. She now strongly encourages people from all communities to consider them.