Abstract B02: Promotores advancing knowledge and participation in cancer research studies.

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Less than three percent of all adult cancer patients participate in cancer research studies. Participation is even lower for patients from underserved Latino populations. Community Health Workers (Promotores de Salud) have been shown to improve minority participation in clinical research and access to care. The objective is to describe the development and implementation of a theory-based, language and literacy appropriate training program to advance awareness and interest in cancer research studies among Latinos. Our central hypothesis is that a culturally sensitive, language and literacy appropriate program will improve a) knowledge about cancer research studies and b) attitudes regarding participation. Study Design: The study was carried out in three phases: 1) Building an infrastructure for a commu nity based participatory research program; 2) Training promotores utilizing a community-based curriculum; and 3) Using Paulo Freire's education model, we designed and implemented a cancer 101 and a cancer research studies training program. Prior to the training, Latino community members completed a pre-assessment that included demographic, socio-economic information, and open ended questions about cancer topics and cancer research studies. Results: A total of 27 Promotores enrolled in the training program and 22 (81.48%) completed the three sessions. At the end of the training session, 92% believed that it was very important for community members to learn about cancer research studies and 85% felt comfortable talking about cancer research studies in their communities. Impact: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of recruiting and engaging promotores to improve community knowledge of cancer research studies and attitudes regarding participation in cancer research studies. This initial step will inform the development of future community-based interventions. Citation Format: Ana Paula Cupertino, Johana Bravo De los Rios, Mercedes Saint-Elin. Promotores advancing knowledge and participation in cancer research studies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B02.