Abstract 4011: Health maintenance reframed: Insights from Black prostate cancer survivors on prioritizing wellbeing
Authors: Dottington Fullwood, Mary Ellen Young, Folakemi T. Odedina
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Background: Prostate cancer continues to disproportionately affect Black men, who face notonly higher incidence, but also more severe outcomes compared to other racial and ethnicgroups. While advancements in survivorship care have been made, significant disparities remain, highlighting the critical need for research that addresses the distinct challenges faced by Black men during their survivorship journey. In the face of these ongoing inequities, understanding the advocacy, resilience, and lived experiences of Black men post-treatment is essential. By exploring these factors, our study aims to uncover actionable strategies to enhance survivorship care and support, driving the development of targeted interventions that can close the gap in outcomes for this underserved population. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative interviews with 31 Black prostatecancer survivors participated in the CaPCaS study, aiming to explore their perspectives onsurvivorship and advocacy. A Grounded Theory approach was employed to rigorously analyze the participants' narratives. Through open and axial coding, we systematically identified key themes from the transcribed, verified, and deidentified audio recordings, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of their post-treatment experiences. Results: Our analysis revealed four central themes that highlight the evolving health behaviors and coping mechanisms of participants. First, Self-care and Health Management emerged, showcasing empowered decision-making around exercise, dietary improvements, and hydration. Second, Increased Awareness and Prioritization underscored the shift toward heightened health consciousness, with participants emphasizing the importance of personal health and prioritizing food quality. Third, the theme of Emotional and Social Support illustrated how shared experiences fostered comfort and perspective, reinforcing ongoing health maintenance. Finally, participants reframed Health Challenges, viewing them as minor nuisances rather than deterrents, bolstered by medical reassurance and a strong survivor mindset. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of holistic health strategies in improving the quality of life for Black men during their post-treatment prostate cancer survivorship journey. By fostering empowered self-care, prioritizing health awareness, and leveraging emotional and social support, survivors can navigate ongoing health challenges with resilience and confidence. The reframing of health issues as manageable aspects of their lives further underscores the potential for interventions to enhance long-term well-being and reduce disparities in prostate cancer survivorship. Citation Format: Dottington Fullwood, Mary Ellen Young, Folakemi T. Odedina. Health maintenance reframed: Insights from Black prostate cancer survivors on prioritizing wellbeing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4011.