Abstract PO-072: Exploring Pacific Islander participation in clinical cancer trials in Guam

Abstract

Abstract Background. In January 2019, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) approved the addition of FHP Health Center in Guam to its NCI Community Oncology Research Program, making it possible for residents in Guam to participate in NCI-sponsored cancer clinical trials for the first time in Guam's history. Pacific Islanders have historically been significantly underrepresented in NCI-sponsored cancer clinical trials in the nation (Chen et al., 2014). In anticipation of trial recruitment, this pre- pilot study sought to inductively explore community knowledge, beliefs, concerns, and facilitating factors regarding participation in cancer clinical trials in Guam. Methods: Key informants (N=6) were recruited via purposive sampling to represent clerical, government, cultural, and private healthcare sectors. Semi-structured interviews 60 to 90 minutes in length were conducted and transcribed. Qualitative data analysis involved comparisons across the six cases for themes on knowledge, beliefs, concerns, and facilitating factors. Three phases of coding were utilized: initial line-by-line coding per case, general thematic comparisons across cases, and focused analysis on final themes and sub-themes. Results: All participants agreed that advancing cancer research and developing protocols is vital. Cultural and personal beliefs centered on an intergenerational consciousness of cancer and survivability. Dominant concerns were related to distrust and being taken advantage of, as well as fears about harms, risk, and pain. Facilitating factors included the importance of giving hope and that “every option is better than no option.” Participants also expressed that trials would help address the needs of the community given the prevalence of cancer across family generations. Primary recommendations to clinicians and administrators included attention to the safety and “utmost care” of subjects, and transparency regarding risks and benefits of each trial. Conclusions: These initial research findings provide insight into contextual factors that influence Pacific Islander participation, and will be utilized to help develop a larger, population- based pilot study to further explore community concerns, readiness, and recruitment in clinical cancer trials in Guam. Citation Format: Tressa P. Diaz, Corinth Aguon, Ana Joy Mendez. Exploring Pacific Islander participation in clinical cancer trials in Guam [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-072.