Abstract C130: Increasing prostate cancer education and screening for black men in southeastern Michigan: Your prostate, your health
Authors: Tinsley Shane A. , Dankerlui Doreen , Romain Camille , Ruffin Wilma , Brown Eric , Burnett Clarence , Long Donna , Yacobucci Karen , Clement Jaye , Fasakin Abisola , Makinde-Odusola Biola , Williams Eric , Fields Tiffany , Abdollah Firas , Moore Daniel , Hwang Clara , Walker Eleanor M. 
Published: December 2023

Background   Black Men (BM) have disproportionately higher mortality rates from prostate cancer (PCa) and present with more advanced disease. Early screening may improve outcomes.  The aim of our project was to provide education, screening, and provider outreach in efforts to decrease the disproportionate number of PCa deaths in Black men.   Methods   We conducted focus group discussions with BM to assess their perceptions and understanding of PCa and screening. Focus groups aided in the development of educational materials. Educational materials were distributed at community events. Attendants were asked to participate in a survey to assess their knowledge, interest, and perceptions of prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. Screening was offered, at select events, using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Men with PSA levels of ≥4 ng/ml were contacted for follow-up. The project included training for Henry Ford Health (HFH) providers and an assessment of their PCa screening practice.    Results   We completed 4 focus groups and distributed ~1000 PCa educational brochures. To date, 136 men completed the survey. The least common response (n=33, 21.17%) to signs and symptoms associated with prostate cancer was “Prostate cancer can have no symptoms.” while the most common response (n=108, 66.42%) stated that prostate cancer is associated with “Having a hard time passing urine.” The most common response (n=106, 79.1%) to the perceived barrier to prostate cancer screening was “Lack of education around the importance of screening.” Furthermore, when participants were asked why men do not get prostate cancer screening the most common response (n=119, 79.33%) was “Fear of diagnosis.” The greatest number of survey responses (n=90, 69.77%) stated that “Social Media” is how they learned about prostate cancer screening. The largest number of responses (n=83, 57.24%) for the preferred method of communication regarding getting a prostate cancer screening was, “Text message reminder to schedule an appointment.” We participated in 42 community events between March 2022 to May 2023. 323 men were screened. 27 men had an elevated PSA, and 14 of these men did not complete follow-up. The reasons for the lack of follow-up were inability to re-contact (n=10, 71%), lack of insurance (n=2, 14%), no show to appointment (n=1, 7%), fear (n=1, 7%), and unknown (n=1, 7%).  HFH provider educational sessions were conducted. Of 129 providers who completed a screening practice assessment, 78 (60%) routinely offered PSA screening to men between ages 55-69. Between 2018 to 2023 at HFH, the PSA screening rate overall increased from 8.2% to 12.7%.  Conclusion   Although our outreach efforts were effective at increasing PSA screening, half the men with elevated PSA did not follow-up. Future efforts should further reduce barriers to PCa screening and follow-up.  

Citation Format: Shane A. Tinsley, Doreen Dankerlui, Camille Romain, Wilma Ruffin, Eric Brown, Clarence Burnett, Donna Long, Karen Yacobucci, Jaye Clement, Abisola Fasakin, Biola Makinde-Odusola, Eric Williams, Tiffany Fields, Firas Abdollah, Daniel Moore, Clara Hwang, Eleanor M. Walker. Increasing prostate cancer education and screening for black men in southeastern Michigan: Your prostate, your health [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C130.