Abstract B113: A multi-ethnic population-based study of multiple myeloma disparities: Results from a recruitment pilot

Abstract

Abstract To understand multiple myeloma (MM) incidence and survivorship disparities, we established the Precision MEDicine, EqUity and Disparities Research in MultipLe MyeLomA (MEDULLA) study. Our study contacted 400 MM patients reported to the Cancer Registry of Greater California (CRGC) between 2013-2018. We contacted 100 adult individuals from four racial/ethnic groups: Blacks, Whites, Latinos, and Asians with MM diagnosis. Data collection included variables reported to the CRGC, a self-administered survey, and biospecimen saliva collection. The survey focused on demographics, risk factors, cancer treatment, family history, quality of life, and social determinants of health. We also used census tract level features obtained by the American Community Survey 2007-2011. A total of 95 patients participated in the survey (overall response rate = 24%). We performed chi-square test, fisher’s exact test, or Wilcoxon test to obtain two-sided p-values for univariate testing for associations with responding to the survey. We further perform multivariable logistic regression using a stepwise approach under the Akaike information criterion with age and sex kept as covariates. These methods were stratified by Whites and Non-Whites separately which we were able to find important trends. The highest response received was from Whites at 44.2%, with significantly lower rates in all minority groups (<20% for all groups). Response rates were higher for patients living in areas with higher median annual incomes and education. For every 1% increase in poverty rates, Whites living in such neighborhoods were 3% less likely to respond to the survey (p=0.04). For every 10% increase in the proportion of individuals having a college degree, responding to the survey increased by 1.17 units for minorities in that neighborhood (p=0.07). Minorities living in neighborhoods with high proportions of adults without a high school diploma and high unemployment rates are less likely to respond (p=0.02 and p=0.047, respectively). In conclusion, we found significantly lower participation rates among minority groups, with socio-economic factors affecting response rates. We suggest that future studies develop community-focused and culturally tailored strategies to understand MM etiology and survivorship in such populations. Citation Format: April P. Vang, Angelica Perez, Juanita Elizabeth Quino, Ana Estrada, Eric Stewart, Rosemary Cress, Luis Carvajal-Carmona. A multi-ethnic population-based study of multiple myeloma disparities: Results from a recruitment pilot [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B113.