Abstract B098: Engagement of community advisory board in cancer biology, cancer therapeutics, cancer prevention and control and clinical research for decision making and priority setting
Authors: Surani Zul , Caro Alexandra , Zaldivar Richard , Lopez Ghecemy , Barajas Lourdes , Balingit Reener 
Published: September 2024

Background. Community involvement in decision-making ensures that the research addresses the real-world needs and concerns of the populations it aims to serve. Engaging community members helps researchers understand cultural nuances and barriers that might affect health behaviors and access to care. This awareness can guide the development of culturally competent strategies and communication; however, little is known how community voices are incorporated in cancer research. Methods. The Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at Cedars Sinai Cancer Center (CSCC) developed a Community Advisory Board (CAB) with 24 community members from Korean, Filipino, Black, H/L, and LGBTQ+ communities and patients, survivors, and family members from the entire geographic of Los Angeles County (LAC), as well as 3 CAB sub-committees: 1) Community Scientists Committee; 2) Data Dissemination Committee; and 3) Trans and Non-Binary Research Advisory Committee (T-RAC), each of which meets 4-5 times a year. The CAB member selection strategy entailed inviting leaders, long-time organizers, cancer advocates, and policy experts in LAC. CAB and each sub-committees meet four times a year, and collaborates with CSCC leaders to jointly set priorities for research and outreach initiatives through discussions, follow-up surveys, and written reports. Results. Through CAB engagement, CSCC expanded priority cancers to include cervical and gastric cancers. CAB members are integrated into CSCC and collaborate on research initiatives—an engagement that has been transformative. For example, there has been system-wide impact on inclusive collection of LGBTQ+ data in outreach, research, clinical trials, and patient care, including a new LGBTQ+ focused clinic initially proposed by COE. The clinic is now in operation and serving members of the LGBTQ+ community. CAB volunteers are also engaged in scoring proposals for CSCC pilot developmental funds. They review clinical trial protocols, provide recommendations that inform approval or revocation to the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC), and meets regularly with Clinical Research, Cancer Clinical Trials Office (CCTO), and Principal Investigators who develop trials. To date, there have been 5 IIT protocols and 113 protocol reviews with COE and community input. Lastly, the Data Dissemination Committee ensures catchment data are disaggregated and provided back to marginalized communities through town halls (e.g., Filipino Town Hall, Out Against Tobacco Town Hall), training (e.g., Learning Collaborative: LGBTQ+ Communities and Tobacco Use), and reports to inform media and elected officials. Conclusion. The active engagement of community members in decision making in cancer research has led to more inclusive, culturally competent, and impactful research and outreach initiatives, enhancing the relevance and impact of cancer research across diverse populations.

Citation Format: Zul Surani, Alexandra Caro, Richard Zaldivar, Ghecemy Lopez, Lourdes Barajas, Reener Balingit. Engagement of community advisory board in cancer biology, cancer therapeutics, cancer prevention and control and clinical research for decision making and priority setting [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B098.