Abstract B064: The role of peer support in the survivorship experience of African American prostate cancer survivors
Authors: Awoyinka Iwalola , Tovar Margaret , Young Staci A. , Stolley Melinda R. 
Published: January 2023

Background: The link between social connections and health behaviors in the general population has been well documented. However, information on how social connections may impact African American prostate cancer survivors (AAPCS) is limited. This study uses qualitative interviews to explore how social connections may impact the health and health behaviors of AAPCS enrolled in Men Moving Forward (MMF), a lifestyle intervention designed for and by AAPCS. Specifically, we sought to understand how different aspects of the social network may impact health or health behaviors and identify opportunities to leverage social connections to improve the survivorship of AAPCS. Methods: Men completing the MMF program were invited to participate in the qualitative interview. A semi-structured interview guide exploring social networks, health and health behaviors, and cancer survivorship was developed and revised in consult with the MMF community advisory board. Interviews were scheduled at the convenience of participants and held via zoom or at a study site location of the participants choosing. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by two coders using MAXQDA software. A grounded theory approach to coding was taken, with initial line-by-line coding done using an open coding approach, followed by axial coding to thematically organize codes. Results: To date, 14 of 20 interviews have been completed and some preliminary findings are included here. Early findings have identified themes around the importance of peer support and shared experiences and sharing of stories across the survivorship continuum. Within this theme, the following sub-themes were identified: 1) Connecting with other survivors helped with acceptance and isolation following diagnosis. 2) Feedback, advice, and information sharing felt more credible and valued when coming from someone who understood what they had been through. 3) Shared experience helped men feel understood and able to share without fear of judgement. 4) Telling their story to others offered a way to confront stigma around prostate cancer and offer support to men in their communities. This sharing also offered comfort to the survivors. Conclusions: Peer support and shared experience offer an opportunity to provide support and education to AAPCS. Currently, peer support resources for men are limited, and even fewer offer culturally tailored support or programming. Enhancing efforts to create and activate social connections between survivors may offer additional an opportunity to improve survivorship outcomes in AAPCS.

Citation Format: Iwalola Awoyinka, Margaret Tovar, Staci A. Young, Melinda R. Stolley. The role of peer support in the survivorship experience of African American prostate cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B064.