Recruitment Of African American Women Research Articles

Abstract B037: Patient Activation and Navigation: Utilizing Innovative Patient Engagement Strategies to Elevate Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Clinical Trials among African American Women

Abstract Low recruitment of African American women into breast cancer clinical trials is a significant barrier for addressing breast cancer disparities in this population. Although the incidence of breast cancer among African American and non-Hispanic white women is nearly equal, the mortality rate is 42% higher for African American compared to non-Hispanic white women. This disparity is due to diverse factors such as later stage at diagnosis and limited access to screening and treatment. To effectively address African American breast cancer disparities, there is an urgent need to build capacity among African American women in breast cancer research. The African American Breast Cancer Peer Navigator program was established to engage the African American communities in the San Francisco Bay Area in breast cancer research. We recruited 13 community members interested in serving as peer navigators for one year. To build their capacity in breast cancer, we hosted a series of educational sessions facilitated by local and national experts in topics such as breast cancer disparities, best practices in primary and secondary prevention strategies for advocacy and community engagement, breast cancer survivorship, and breast cancer clinical trials. When possible, these sessions were facilitated by local African American experts. Following capacity building, each peer navigator created their own plan for engaging their local community in breast cancer awareness and research. Peer navigators planned diverse engagement strategies including a radio program, faith-based events, free mammogram screenings, and educational speakers. In total, the peer navigators conducted 10 community engagement activities and reach over 500 of their community members. At the conclusion of the one-year peer navigator program, the group prioritized breast cancer survivorship and secured funding to pilot test a physical activity program for African American Breast Cancer survivors. The peer navigators also continue to meet to promote awareness of breast cancer in their community and affect policies to increase access for African American women to breast cancer resources and services in our local area. The peer navigators will present details of their capacity building activities, community engagement events, and their future research and practice goals. Citation Format: Geeta Rajamani, Limi Ahmed, Ida Bezabeh, Starla Gay, Taylor MI Hollis, Almnesh Kassa, Liz Kassa, Rhonda McClinton-Brown, Tinebeta Mekonnen, Regene Ross, Regina R. Throvoer-Guillory, Chiquita T. Tuttle, Juanita J. Waugh, Lenora Williams, Lisa Goldman Rosas. Patient Activation and Navigation: Utilizing Innovative Patient Engagement Strategies to Elevate Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Clinical Trials among African American Women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B037.

BRCA1/2in High-Risk African American Women with Breast Cancer: Providing Genetic Testing through Various Recruitment Strategies

Due to the disproportionate numbers of African American women affected with early onset breast cancer, we sought to investigate mutation frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) in a sample of African American women, recruited through a variety of methods. We conducted a study investigating BRCA1/2 among 51 African American breast cancer patients with a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary predisposition to breast cancer. All individuals underwent genetic counseling and BRCA1/2 mutation analysis, through protein-truncation test on exon 11 of BRCA1 and exons 10 and 11 of BRCA2, which together account for approximately 50% of mutations observed within these genes. Of the 51 women tested for BRCA1/2 mutations, 3 were identified as mutation carriers (5.9%), including 1 in BRCA1 and 2 in BRCA2. Recruitment strategies varied and included physician referrals from the Moffitt Cancer Center Breast Program (18), community-based oncologists (13), primary care physicians (3), newspaper advertisements and brochures (5), community or support group referrals (7), self/family referral through word of mouth (2), and the Florida State Cancer Registry (3). Our results suggest that (1) BRCA1/2 mutations are seen in high-risk African American women with breast cancer, and (2) strategies for recruitment of African American women in studies of genetic testing for breast cancer genes have varied levels of success. Our study highlights the need for further studies in this population group.

Recruitment of African American Women to a Walking Program: Eligibility, Ineligibility, and Attrition During Screening

The purposes of this study were to identify strategies successful in the recruitment of African American (AA) women to a home-based walking program and to examine factors that contribute to attrition, eligibility, and ineligibility during the recruitment screening protocol. Of the 696 women who contacted the researchers, 281 (40.4%) women enrolled in the study, 227 (32.6%) were lost to attrition, and 188 (27%) were ineligible. Those not enrolled due to attrition during screening or ineligibility reported more family risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lived in neighborhoods with higher poverty. Although our recruitment strategies may have been successful in attracting low-income AA women, we were not as successful in preventing their attrition during the screening protocol, particularly for those living in poorer neighborhoods.

Bridging the Gap: Recruitment of African-American Women Into Mental Health Research Studies

To develop a strategy for recruiting African-American women into a research study for pregnant women. With few exceptions, NIH-funded investigators must include women and minorities in clinical research. The authors used the recommendations provided in the Outreach Notebook for the NIH Guidelines on Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research as a guide to help them reach out to African-American women in the community. The outreach experience led to a conference for African-American women about mental health. On the basis of this experience, the authors formulated a five-pronged approach for recruitment of African-American women into their study. The NIH guidelines were useful for this purpose.