Sistas Taking a Stand for Breast Cancer Research (STAR) Study: A Community-Based Participatory Genetic Research Study to Enhance Participation and Breast Cancer Equity among African American Women in Memphis, TN.

Alana Smith,Michelle Martin,Lashanta Rice,Gregory Vidal,Ryan Blue,Athena Starlard-Davenport,Gwendolynn Brown,Elizabeth Pritchard

doi:10.3390/ijerph15122899

Abstract

African American women are substantially underrepresented in breast cancer genetic research studies and clinical trials, yet they are more likely to die from breast cancer. Lack of trust in the medical community is a major barrier preventing the successful recruitment of African Americans into research studies. When considering the city of Memphis, TN, where the percentage of African Americans is significantly higher than the national average and it has a high rate of breast cancer mortality inequities among African American women, we evaluated the feasibility of utilizing a community-based participatory (CBPR) approach for recruiting African American women into a breast cancer genetic study, called the Sistas Taking A Stand for Breast Cancer Research (STAR) study. From June 2016 and December 2017, African American women age 18 and above were recruited to provide a 2 mL saliva specimen and complete a health questionnaire. A total of 364 African American women provided a saliva sample and completed the health questionnaire. Greater than 85% agreed to be contacted for future studies. Educational workshops on the importance of participating in cancer genetic research studies, followed by question and answer sessions, were most successful in recruitment. Overall, the participants expressed a strong interest and a willingness to participate in the STAR study. Our findings highlight the importance of implementing a CBPR approach that provides an educational component detailing the importance of participating in cancer genetic research studies and that includes prominent community advocates to build trust within the community.

Highlights

Breast cancer is a major health concern in the United States
Our initial goal was to recruit a total of 250 African American women for the Stand for Breast Cancer Research (STAR) study between
We exceeded our goal by recruiting a total of 364 African American women who provided both a saliva sample and completed the health questionnaire

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is a major health concern in the United States. This year alone, more than 260,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States (US) and more than 40,000 of those women will die from the disease [1]. African American women have a significantly higher risk of dying from breast cancer than their white counterparts. In 2017, breast cancer death rates were reportedly 39% higher in African American women as compared to non-Hispanic white women [1]. As more African American women are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is expected that more of these women will die from the disease

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