Abstract C115: Framework for a community-based multiple myeloma screening program
Authors: Hurwitz Heather McKee , Bell Kimberly , Basali Diana , Jackson Raymond D. , Valent Jason 
Published: December 2023

Purpose: We develop a framework for a community-based screening program for multiple myeloma (MM). MM is known to be twice as common in Black/African American (B/AA) persons compared to white persons and B/AA patients have a higher risk of delay in initial treatment compared to white patients. Therefore, we developed a community-wide screening program for B/AA persons 50 years and older. As the first of these programs, we reveal an organizational framework that prioritizes engagement with key community partners who address barriers to cancer screening. Experimental Procedures: We expand organizational development knowledge about how to implement community-based MM screening and address barriers. The study uses an iterative and qualitative continuous improvement process. The study draws on literature review and multi-disciplinary team collaboration among clinicians, researchers, administrators, and the Cleveland Clinic Community Outreach Program (Cleveland Outreach). Data Summary: Our framework includes three interrelated partners and each address barriers to MM screening: 1) Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. The multi-disciplinary team designs an educational brochure, secures pilot grant funding, plans for insurance/financial assistance as needed, develops care algorithms, and evaluates the impact of the program. Cleveland Outreach, a department within the Cancer Center, uses the Harold Freeman model as its foundational approach, which includes patient navigators and community outreach managers who are culturally/linguistically matched to medically underserved communities. The Cancer Center addresses barriers including program implementation despite a lack of national screening guidelines, insurance/financial barriers, and patient navigation to address fears and health literacy. 2) Faith-based organizations. Church leaders committed to cancer prevention participate in Cleveland Outreach’s faith-based outreach model. Faith-based partners address barriers of trust and fear. Also, by providing space at churches for on-site screening blood draws, they address transportation barriers. 3) Clinicians at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC’s). Providers and nurses at FQHC’s receive a Continuing Medical Education program about MM screening designed/funded by the Cancer Center. From within the community, providers notify medically underserved patients about the screening. With their primary care patient population, FQHC partners address barriers such as trust, health literacy, and fear of blood draws. They facilitate on-site screening at FQHC’s and health fairs, which addresses transportation barriers. Conclusions: Given that there are no universal guidelines for MM screening, we develop a novel approach to early disease detection in B/AA patients. Our framework is a partnership between the Cancer Center, faith-based organizations, and FQHC’s. Collaboratively, we address barriers to screening including fear, trust, insurance/financial, health literacy, transportation, and patient navigation if abnormal results suggest the need for further testing.

Citation Format: Heather McKee Hurwitz, Kimberly Bell, Diana Basali, Raymond D. Jackson II, Jason Valent. Framework for a community-based multiple myeloma screening program [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 C115.