Abstract A39: Profiles, motivations, and networks of prostate cancer advocates in southern black communities

Abstract

Abstract Black men have the highest number of new cases and mortality rates for prostate cancer: 1.6 and 2.4, respectively when compared to whites (NCI, 2015). Also, black men are more likely to have an advanced stage and grade of prostate cancer at initial presentation. Prostate cancer disparities are a complex problem that needs to be assuaged with complex and multifaceted strategies. Advocates can be one of the many tools used to alleviate the prostate cancer health disparities that are observed today in black communities. While there is no shortage of research being done on black men and prostate cancer, there is a very little research on the work of advocates for prostate cancer awareness in black communities. Advocates are already engaging on different levels with black communities to increase prostate cancer awareness. This research seeks to further illuminate the advocates' efforts and voices, exploring their strategies and approaches. Through the use of qualitative methods, data collection yielded a total of 24 in-depth interviews and 14 ethnographic observations. These expanded methods capture a more nuanced and complex understanding of prostate cancer advocacy. Major findings include (1) the description of the advocates, including their demographics and self-definitions, (2) the interrelated internal and external sources of motivation for their advocacy efforts; and (3) an examination of the complex networks of advocacy that incorporate social networks, organizations, and research and political entities. These insights can help to create and support more effective interventions that are specifically developed for men in black communities. Citation Format: Lauren Rose Gilbert. Profiles, motivations, and networks of prostate cancer advocates in southern black communities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A39.