Abstract B039: Increasing clinical trial enrollment rates of black women with breast cancer with the use of Patient Navigation
Authors: Chai Tina S. , Reid Sonya , Pal Tuya , Winkfield Karen , Campbell Clorissa , Thomas Courtney , Smalls Meredith , Schremp Emma , Friedman Debra 
Published: September 2024

Background The positive impact of clinical trials is clear in breast cancer, with a five-year survival rate of 90%. While black women represent 12% of breast cancer cases in the US, they comprise 3% of participants in clinical trials. At the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), black patients represent 9% of all breast cancer patients, but only 4% of those enrolled in clinical trials. Objective This pilot study will evaluate the role of Patient Navigators (PNs) to increase knowledge of and enrollment on clinical trials among black women with breast cancer at the Breast Cancer Clinic at VICC. Methods All black women in the Breast Clinic at VICC are offered Patient Navigation (PN) services. Those who consent complete a needs assessment and are provided PN as needed up to the duration of their treatment. As part of the PN, patients are provided with educational material about clinical trials as well as assistance with identified needs. Patients are surveyed one-month following the start of the navigation experience. We will compare clinical trial enrollment rates among eligible black women with breast cancer during the study period with historical controls. Covariates of analysis will include age, stage, histology and insurance status. Results From February through May 2024, we have approached 33 patients for PN assignment. Of the 29 patients who accepted a PN, only one was eligible for a clinical trial and was enrolled in the trial. Of 14 patients who completed the first post-navigation survey, 12 stated that PNs improved their cancer care experience, and all 14 found meetings with PNs to be valuable. Additionally, 11 patients reported that they knew very little to nothing about clinical trials prior to PN intervention and 8 reported having increased knowledge following PN. Of 12 respondents, 6 reported that they would be more likely to enroll on a clinical trial as a result of PN, and 9 of 14 indicated that they would share information about clinical trials with others. Conclusions With exceptional survival rates in breast cancer, it is imperative that there is equity in opportunity for enrollment in clinical trials for all patients. Patient navigation may target barriers to access to and increase knowledge of clinical trials and diminish cancer health disparities. As accrual continues in our pilot study, we will examine the impact of PN on enrollment in clinical trials, while also identifying other potential benefits for overall patient care.

Citation Format: Tina S. Chai, Sonya Reid, Tuya Pal, Karen Winkfield, Clorissa Campbell, Courtney Thomas, Meredith Smalls, Emma Schremp, Debra Friedman. Increasing clinical trial enrollment rates of black women with breast cancer with the use of Patient Navigation [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 B039.