Prof Don Dizon speaks to ecancer about the special populations in oncology.

Special populations are the groups that are not specifically represented in clinical research and trials. The three groups Prof Dizon talks about are older adults who would not be enrolled in clinical trials, the LGBTQ communities and racial groups that might be underrepresented or not represented at all in clinical trials.

Lack of diverse representation in trials results in a generalisation of results. Therefore, it is important to see if the same results are being shown in these special populations.

Prof Dizon discusses how the generalisation of results can cause problems in patient treatment and how this issue can be resolved.

He concludes by discussing some challenges to research in low-middle income countries.