To evaluate the reporting of geographic, socioeconomic, and core demographic variables in primary randomized cancer clinical trial reports.
Approach:
Key Findings:
Patients from rural areas experience worse cancer outcomes due to limited access to care.
Area-level socioeconomic deprivation correlates with poorer cancer survival rates.
Reporting of geographic and socioeconomic factors in clinical trials is often inadequate.
Interpretation:
The review highlights the need for improved representation of geographic and socioeconomic factors in cancer clinical trials to enhance the generalizability of findings.
Limitations:
The review was not prospectively registered and lacked a formal protocol.
It was designed as a descriptive review rather than a meta-analysis.
Conclusion:
Improving the reporting of geographic and socioeconomic variables in cancer trials is essential for understanding treatment effects across diverse populations.