Abstract PO-023: Connecting under-resourced populations: A community-based prostate cancer screening intervention
Authors: Galloway Dorothy , Teteh Dede , Woods-Burnham Leanne , Walker Mya , Kittles Rick A. 
Published: January 2022

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the number one diagnosed cancer among Black men (BM) in the United States. Diagnosed earlier, with more aggressive disease, BM are dying at higher rates than other race/ethnic groups. Family history of PCa and lack of access to annual screenings are known contributors to the development of lethal disease. In addition, over 70% of BM are vitamin D deficient (VDD), which promotes tumor aggressiveness, and generally have little knowledge of their family history of PCa. When detected at an early stage, BM have higher survival rates for PCa than other racial/ethnic group. As a result, the American Cancer Society recommends that men with a higher risk of developing PCa should receive information about the benefits and limitations of screening between 40 and 50 years of. Community-based screening (CBS) interventions have been shown to increase early detection and increase knowledge of PCa risk for BM). The purpose of this study is to better understand the feasibility of CBS interventions in reducing PCa disparities among BM. Methodology: Participants were recruited between 2018-2020 from CBS events in Southern California. The men completed a 48-item questionnaire prior to receiving a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. Vitamin-D levels were also measured. The survey included questions on demographics, general health, cancer history, and family history of cancer. Inclusion criteria involved BM over the age of 40, without a family history of PCa, with PSA scores greater than 4 ng/ml (abnormal screening result), and Vitamin-D values less than 20 ng/ml (Vitamin D deficiency level). Survey data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Results: Our participants (n=497) included 68.8% (n=342) BM, 10% (n=50) White, 11.9% (n=59) Latino, 6.8% (n=34) Asian, and 2.4% (n=12) other. 62% of participants (n=269) have never been screened for PCa, and 74% (n=313) are between 40 and 88 years old. Of the Black population, 62% (n=163) never received a PSA screening, and 66% (n=175) did not have a family history of PCa. In addition, 36% (n=113) of the BM were VDD. Of the BM with an Abnormal Screening Result (ASR) (n=32), 44% (n=14) have never been screened, and 53% (n=17) did not have a family history of PCa. In addition, 44% (n=14) of the participants with an ASR were VDD. Lastly, of the BM above the age of 40 with an ASR, and VDD, (n=14), 50% have never been screened and 57% did not have a family history of PCa. Discussion: This study aimed to identify the feasibility of a community based PCa screening intervention for BM in Southern California. As a result of our CBS program, we identified high risk men without a family history of PCa and were VDD. This program offers early detection and screening opportunities to further increase awareness of PCa risk factors for BM. Future research should include the impact of CBS interventions for BM at perceived lower risk of developing PCa.

Citation Format: Dorothy Galloway, Dede Teteh, Leanne Woods-Burnham, Mya Walker, Rick A. Kittles. Connecting under-resourced populations: A community-based prostate cancer screening intervention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-023.