Abstract B001: Engaging patient advocates in the battle against cancer directly in their communities in culturally and language specific ways
Authors: Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes , Nieves Elena , Aristizabal1 Carolina , Rodriguez Yaneth L. , Barahona Rosa , Shego Marya , Dornsife Dana 
Published: September 2024

Background: Patient advocates from diverse communities are at the forefront of informing on the latest scientific findings to different audiences; and connecting to resources to help battle cancer. However, disparities exists that exacerbate barriers to the delivery of cancer information. These disparities are the result of impactful socio-determinants of health that range from language barriers to food insecurity, mental health challenges and a lack of connection to support services and clinical trials. Lazarex Cancer Foundation has established Pop-up Hubs that go directly into the community to alleviate barriers while empowering patient advocates from varied cultural and racial/ethnic groups to deliver cancer information that account for culture, race/ethnicity literacy and numeracy levels, and delivered in multiple languages. Patient advocates are cancer-care ambassadors that help reduce the cancer burden, provide referrals, follow-up with needed information or care, and enroll patients into clinical trials. Methods: With community participation, patient advocates have helped develop culturally and language specific educational materials, approach communities in their own neighborhoods, and help connect to support services, such as free food distribution, mental health services, and raise awareness on environmental and lifestyle factors that can influence a cancer trajectory. Our patient advocates follow up with community members seeking resolution to their cancer concerns. Patient advocates promote screenings and help link individuals and their families. Patient advocates also work with community coalitions, testify before local decision-makers, and promote early detection, screening, tobacco cessation, weight management, nutritious culturally specific meals, and advise on exercise. Results: Working with patient advocates in a participatory manner, we have developed and disseminated educational materials on prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and clinical trials. Patient advocates have provided cancer information to 5,000 individuals of Latino/a (Spanish speaking), Black/African American, and Asian (Korean and Mandarin speaking) heritage). 3,773 have received cancer information, have connected 260 individuals to support groups; provided 112 community members with individualized follow-up increasing knowledge and access to services. Reached over 3 million people via various media and between 2018-2024 supported the passing with our partners of 31 tobacco laws in California. Conclusion: Patient advocates have created knowledgeable inviting environments for community members directly in the diverse communities of Los Angeles. The information provided includes screening guidelines, the importance of diversity participation in clinical trials, self or patient advocacy, and accessing trustworthy, reliable sources. Patient advocates are opening new ways to reach communities in a participatory manner in their own backyard; enhancing our ongoing effort to reduce cancer disparities.

Citation Format: Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Elena Nieves, Carolina Aristizabal1, Yaneth L. Rodriguez, Rosa Barahona, Marya Shego, Dana Dornsife. Engaging patient advocates in the battle against cancer directly in their communities in culturally and language specific ways [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 B001.