Breaking Barriers: Oncologists Call for Gender Equity and Female Representation in Cancer Research This Women's History Month

In a powerful celebration of Women's History Month, a wave of oncologists is urging for increased gender equity and female representation in cancer research. Highlighting the critical issues faced by women in oncology, this month serves as a reminder of the significant strides made by female pioneers in the field, as well as the need for continued advocacy for patients and practitioners alike.

Taking the spotlight on International Women’s Day, Dr. Shruti Patel, a clinical assistant professor at Stanford Medicine, spearheaded a social media campaign on OncLive, collaborating with Dr. Megan Melody from Tampa General Hospital. Dr. Patel shared essential insights on the existing gender disparities in cancer care, paying homage to trailblazing women in oncology, and emphasizing the urgent need for equitable practices in gynecologic cancer research.

“Cancer doesn’t affect everyone equally, and women are frequently marginalized in research, funding, and access to treatment,” stated Dr. Patel. “This is a call to action to make oncology more equitable for both women patients and women professionals in the field—better representation leads to better outcomes.”

In her campaign, Dr. Patel was joined by esteemed colleagues like Dr. Emil Lou and Dr. Shaalan Beg, who echoed her sentiments on the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials and allocation of funding for diseases that predominantly affect women.

Patel discussed alarming statistics illustrating gender disparities in cancer care: women are more likely to experience delays in diagnosis than men, even for conditions that affect both genders. A 2015 study indicated that half of the women receiving support faced significant barriers to care, especially among older, non-White, non-English speaking, or uninsured demographics.

Moreover, women represented only 38% of participants in clinical trials leading to new drug approvals, with racial minorities being disproportionately underrepresented. In addition, funding for gynecologic cancers remains dismally low, limiting research and treatment options for ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers—further highlighting the historical biases that continue to shape cancer care today.

Patel urged oncologists and researchers to address these disparities and advocate for a health care system that recognizes the unique challenges women face, including clinical trial diversity and equitable funding for female-specific cancers.

Celebrating Pioneers in Oncology

Dr. Patel took a moment to recognize the women who have fundamentally changed the landscape of oncology, honoring figures like Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Jane Cooke Wright, Jimmie C. Holland, and Angela Hartley Brodie. Curie's groundbreaking work in radiation therapy and Wright’s innovation in drug testing paved the way for modern cancer treatments, but their achievements often remain underappreciated.

Dr. Lou and Dr. Beg added their perspectives, emphasizing that improving cancer care for women ultimately enhances care for all patients. They referenced a study revealing that nearly 50% of cancer survivors in the U.S. experience financial challenges related to treatment, with women disproportionately facing financial toxicity despite being insured.

Additionally, a survey indicated an alarming trend of women feeling overlooked in the health care system—reporting experiences of having their concerns dismissed far more often than their male counterparts. This disparity extends to oncology leadership, with women occupying only 35.9% of faculty positions in accredited programs and an even lower percentage in senior roles.

The oncologists concluded that recognizing and empowering women in this critical field is not just an equity issue—it is essential for advancing cancer care for all patients. “When we uplift women in oncology, we don’t just improve cancer care for women, but we enhance it for everyone,” Lou affirmed.

As Women's History Month unfolds, the oncology community is called to action in recognizing the critical role of women and advocating for a more equitable future in cancer care and research.

For more insights and updates from Dr. Patel's campaign, follow OncLive’s social media channels.