Ghasemi, Parisa

Abstract Introduction: Black prostate cancer (CaP) survivors experience unique quality-of-life (QoL) and recovery challenges after treatment compared with their White counterparts. Smartphone-delivered mobile health interventions offer promising avenues for symptom tracking and lifestyle changes; but their feasibility, user engagement, and acceptability in this population remain unclear. This study assessed the feasibility, engagement, and preliminary impact of the Survivorship App for Ethnically Diverse Black Prostate Cancer Survivors (SAFE-CaPS), designed to improve self-monitoring behaviors and health outcomes. Methods: Nine Black CaP survivors (seven U.S.-born, one African-born, and one Caribbean-born) participated in a 12-week pilot study of SAFE-CaPS. The app provided daily prompts for symptoms (pain, sleep, fatigue, sexual function, anxiety, depression) and behavior tracking (physical activity, diet), brief self-management support, and physician alerts for severe symptom reports. Mental health (GAD-7 and PHQ-9) and QoL (FACT-P) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Feasibility was evaluated based on adherence rates (i.e., ≥70% of daily diary entries). Engagement and acceptability were assessed via app analytics and qualitative interviews on usability and cultural relevance. Participants were compensated up to $125 via Greenphire ClinCard. Surveys were analyzed with SPSS v29, and interviews with Atlas.ti v23. Results: Participants’ median age at diagnosis was 56 years; six had a positive family history of CaP, and four had undergone radical prostatectomy. Four participants met the feasibility threshold, and eight completed the study. Most daily entries reflected mild pain, fatigue, bowel and urinary issues, and generally good sleep. Several participants frequently reported severe sexual dysfunction, and most diary responses indicated <20 minutes of physical activity per day. Fruit/vegetable intake was low, with about half of daily responses showing 1-2 servings. At baseline, eight participants had minimal anxiety, while five had moderate depression. Overall, QoL improved from week 1 to week 12 in physical, emotional, and functional well-being, while social well-being declined over time. Interviews emphasized the app’s user-friendly design, ease of navigation, and acceptability as key strengths, with several participants highlighting its simplicity and ease of use, with recommendations to reduce repetitive items and address minor technical issues. Conclusions: SAFE-CaPS was feasible and well accepted. Sexual dysfunction, low physical activity, and moderate depression emerged as key concerns, heightening the need for integrated mental health, activity support, and stronger engagement strategies in future mHealth interventions. Citation Format: Gaurav Kumar, Parisa Ghasemi, Yan D. Zhao, Zsolt Nagykaldi, Kathleen A. Dwyer, Andrew G. McIntosh, Ernie Kaninjing, Mary E. Young, Dickey Sabrina, Daniel Morton, Opeyemi Bolajoko, Darla E. Kendzor, Motolani Ogunsanya. Feasibility of a survivorship app for black prostate cancer survivors: Results from a 12-week mHealth pilot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6307.

Abstract Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) is among the most common cancers in U.S. men, with Black men experiencing a 1.7-fold higher incidence and nearly twice the mortality rate compared with non-Hispanic White men. While early detection has improved survival, differences remain in recovery and quality of life (QoL). Sexual dysfunction after treatment affects identity, relationships, and well-being, yet stigma, cultural norms, and limited access to patient-centered care prevent open discussion. Few initiatives address the intersection of identity, stigma, and survivorship in this population. Community town halls provide a trusted, culturally responsive space for shared learning, peer connection, and open dialogue on survivorship and sexual health. Methods: Two community-engaged CaP town halls were convened by the Multidisciplinary Health Outcomes Research and Economics (MORE) Lab at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC) to explore survivorship issues among Black CaP survivors. The first, held virtually in June 2024, included watch parties in Georgia and Texas. The second, in November 2024, was hybrid, hosted at OUHC and via Teams with a watch party at the Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center, a community center in Oklahoma City. Panelists included oncologists, psychologists, survivors, partners, and Community Advisory Board members. Both town halls featured survivor storytelling, provider Q&A, and interactive discussion. Post-event surveys captured demographics, satisfaction, and impact. Open-discussion transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis, guided by a constructivist framework. Results: A total of 124 participants attended both town halls. Survey respondents (n=17; 13.7%) provided demographic and satisfaction data; remaining insights came from all participants who engaged in open dialogue. Respondents ranged in age from 19-76 years (mean=48.7 ± 21.8). Of the 17 respondents, 93% rated the events as very good or excellent; 23.5% were CaP survivors, all identifying as Black. Five themes emerged: (1) Masculinity, stigma, and silence limit help-seeking; (2) Sexual dysfunction and identity loss cause major emotional burdens; (3) Navigation challenges highlight systemic barriers; (4) Spousal and psychological support aid coping; and (5) Survivorship empowerment. Participants valued hearing “real stories from real men,” validating their experiences. Conclusions: Community town halls are a feasible and culturally relevant strategy to engage Black CaP survivors in survivorship and sexual health discussions. By centering lived experiences and facilitating two-way communication between survivors, clinicians, and researchers, these events build trust and reduce stigma. Future work will assess changes in knowledge, engagement, and confidence in care navigation and explore scaling this community-academic model to improve survivorship QoL. Citation Format: Parisa Ghasemi, Gaurav Kumar, Ernest T. Kaninjing, Adanma Ayanambakkam, Yaw A. Nyame, Amy Siston, Jordan M. Neil, Adam C. Alexander, Andrew G. McIntosh, Yan Zhao, Zsolt Nagykaldi, Kathleen A. Dwyer, Mary Ellen Young, Sabrina Dickey, Daniel Morton, Opeyemi Bolajoko, Darla E. Kendzor, Motolani E. Ogunsanya. Survivorship and sexual health: What we learned from Black men in community town halls [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 2483.

Abstract Introduction Prostate cancer (CaP) significantly impacts Black men, who face higher morbidity despite lower overall mortality. The disease and its treatments profoundly affect sexuality, relationships, and quality of life (QoL), necessitating robust support systems. Healthcare, spousal support, community involvement, and interactions with other survivors are crucial for enhancing survivors' self-esteem and daily functioning. Virtual town halls offer a platform to share trusted information and foster community support, overcoming geographic and structural barriers. This town hall event will explore Black CaP survivors' experiences, focusing on sexuality post-diagnosis and related medical and psychological needs. MethodsOn June 13, 2024, The University of Oklahoma and Stephenson Cancer Center will host the 5th town hall event (via Microsoft Teams) to address Black CaP survivors' sexual health concerns. Previous town halls averaged 70 attendees and covered various aspects of the CaP journey. This event will include storytelling and panel discussions, with presentations from two CaP survivors and their spouses on personal experiences and coping strategies. A urologic oncologist will discuss treatment advancements and early detection, while a clinical health psychologist will address psychological and emotional aspects of survivorship. Simultaneous watch parties will be held in Milledgeville, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas. Interactive Q&A sessions will allow participant engagement. Attendees will complete a post-event survey to assess the session's impact and collect clinical and sociodemographic data. Quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS v28, and audio-recorded sessions will be transcribed and thematically analyzed using Nvivo. Results will be available by the end of June and presented at the conference. Expected Results Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between CaP and sexuality in Black men's health. Discussions will highlight the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis, challenges in maintaining sexual health during and after treatment, and the role of mental health support. The town hall aims to emphasize the importance of a strong support system, providing valuable coping skills through shared experiences and expert insights. Topics will include the emotional and psychological impact of sexual health challenges, partner support, and the necessity of open communication with healthcare providers. The event seeks to improve CaP survivors' QoL by emphasizing continuous education and integrating sexual health into overall survivorship care. Conclusion This town hall event aims to bridge gaps in understanding and addressing Black CaP survivors' sexual health concerns. By fostering open dialogue and providing expert insights, we hope to improve these men's QoL and survivorship care, emphasizing mental health support, spousal support, and continuous education. Citation Format: Motolani Ogunsanya, Ernie Kaninjing, Parisa Ghasemi, Skyler Danker, Daniel Morton, Kathleen Dwyer, Mary Ellen Young, Folakemi T. Odedina, Yaw Nyame, Amy Siston, Jordan Neil, Adam C Alexander, Perry Cole, Patrick Beckford, Donald Reese, Thomas Mitchell, Everett Montgomery, Roland Odeleye, Darla E. Kendzor. Beyond the diagnosis: A town hall event to explore black men’s journey with prostate cancer and sexuality [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B028.