Abstract 4183: Recruiting African-American prostate cancer patients for biobank research
Authors: Damonte Jennifer , Roy Siddhartha , Benson Carmen , Jamison Kala , Park Hyun , Pollack Allan , Masood Shahla , Yeo Changdong , Kim Young-chul , Dhillon Jasreman , Yamoah Kosj , Pow-Sang Julio , Sellers Thomas A. , Gwede Clement K. , Park Jong Y. 
Published: August 2019

Significant racial disparities exist in prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality rates. Exploration of the basis for disparities would be enhanced by access to data and biological specimens on men of African Ancestry (AA). Unfortunately, AA men remain underrepresented in cancer biorepositories. To address this gap, we have embarked on an effort to create a state-wide biospecimen bank focused on AA men with PCa in Florida. The objective is to collect and manage patients’ data, outcome information, and biospecimens (i.e., tumor tissue samples and saliva) from diverse AA men for research. The objective is to collect and manage patients’ data, outcome information, and biospecimens who have been diagnosed with PCa in Florida. Self-identified AA PCa patients, diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, who were living in Florida at the time of diagnosis were identified through the Florida State cancer registry. Potential participants were mailed packets describing the study, with follow-up by telephone to answer questions and obtain informed consent. Interested patients were screened for eligibility and asked to complete a questionnaire, provide a saliva sample, and provide permission to obtain their tumor tissue sample. Patients were offered up to $30 for participating in the study. The Florida Cancer Registry reported a total of 7,960 AA PCa cases during the ascertainment period. Information packets were sent to 4,898 AA. A total of 116 were found to be ineligible mainly due to deceased or non-English speaking patients. To date, 796 have consented to participate, 1,175 declined ether by mail (n=185) or phone (=985), 740 could not be located, and 2,033 have not responded to the initial information packet/phone after total of 5 attempts. This yields a participation rate of 16.3% (796/4,898). The adjusted participation rate, or the percentage of participants who consented to participate out of those who had communication with the research team, is 41% (796/1,959). Primary reasons for declining include patients stating that they are not interested (72%), too sick (8%), or too busy (5%). A significant inverse association was found between current age and participation rate (p&lt;0.0001) but not insurance status. Older AA PCa patients were found to be less likely to participate in the study. A significant association was also found between Gleason score and participation rate. AA men who had a more aggressive form of PCa (higher Gleason score) were more likely to participate in the study (p&lt;0.01). Our results demonstrate that recruiting Blacks/African-American PCa patients in the biobank study using a cancer registry is feasible, yet difficult. Despite prevailing recruitment challenges, we implemented a diverse of recruitment methods to increase reach. These recruitment methods helped identify additional avenues for targeting this population to increase participation and, ultimately, address cancer disparities among this population.

Citation Format: Jennifer Damonte, Siddhartha Roy, Carmen Benson, Kala Jamison, Hyun Park, Allan Pollack, Shahla Masood, Changdong Yeo, Young-chul Kim, Jasreman Dhillon, Kosj Yamoah, Julio Pow-Sang, Thomas A. Sellers, Clement K. Gwede, Jong Y. Park. Recruiting African-American prostate cancer patients for biobank research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4183.