Citations

Abstract Intro: Compared to white men, Black men bear the highest burden of prostate cancer, experiencing a higher incidence and mortality rate, and poorer survivorship outcomes. Although prioritized, survivorship and quality of life (QOL) are under-studied in the fight against prostate cancer disparities. To address this issue, clinicians, researchers, and community advocates have formed the Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) Consortium for Black Men. iCCaRE’s goal is to advance the science and practice of survivorship focused on the needs of Black men and their loved ones affected by prostate cancer. Methods: We developed a survivorship care plan (SCP) tailored to the whole person's needs. IRB-approved qualitative methods to preliminarily gain evaluation and guidance on the SCP. The SCP presented content in the following areas: diagnosis and treatment, follow-up care/surveillance, family history, care team, major co-morbidities, symptoms and quality of life, survivorship concerns, and health advisories. Results: 23 Black prostate cancer survivors (PCS) participated and provided feedback on the SCP Mean age was 64 years. PCS diagnosed between 2018-2023 between stages 1-4. The Majority of PCS were provided information for follow-up and side effects. But none had received a comprehensive SCP All agreed that the SCP would contribute to enhancing cancer knowledge, patient activation, and shared decision, and their QOL, if the SCP was obtained. A survivor noted “having inspirational quotes throughout the SCP is important”. An unforeseen consequence to the interviews was the emotional release for the men, justifying the need for the SCP and an expansion of its scope. Domains that the men wanted more contents were social support, sexuality, masculinity, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. All PCS understood the value of having trusted family and friends to bear the burden of the disease despite some not having a solid support system. PCS emphasized the role of family support stating, “my wife and children helped me stay positive”. Another critical lifestyle component that survivors mentioned was their sexuality and how it directly reflects their masculinity. Although PCS adapted to other forms of intimacy like couples’ activities and stronger communication with their partners, majority of men struggle with adapting to their sexual performance. A quote by a survivor encompasses the mindset expressed by many of the men fear “Like a track star in his prime who can’t run anymore”. Erectile Dysfunction can lead to fear and anxiety among survivors, ultimately affecting QOL. Lastly, PCS wanted more options to stay fit and healthy. Further research and resources are needed to address survivor concerns in this area. Discussion: Overall, PCS have acknowledged that the SCP can assist them in these areas of concern, but more research is required. Life after prostate cancer treatment is an ongoing process; while some survivors cope better than others, it is evident a need for more information and guidance is not being provided to all those affected. Citation Format: James Morrison, Kimlin Ashing, Gaole Song, John McCall, Timethia J. Bonner, Che Ngufor, Getachew A. Dagne, Arnold Merriweather, Ewan Cobran, Cassandra N. Moore, Fornati Bedell, Rotimi Oladapo, Floyd B. Willis, JoAnne S. Oliver, Ernie Kaninjing, Roxana Dronca, Folakemi T. Odedina. iCCaRE qualitative interviews for Black prostate cancer survivors and quality of life [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 C042.

Abstract Black men hold the highest prostate cancer burden among all ethnicities; thus, there is an urgent need for research to inform the development and implementation of a culturally tailored intervention to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. In response, the Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) Consortium was created to advance health equity and reduce disparities in prostate cancer. Addressing the unique needs of Black men require a genuine bidirectional relationship between scientist and the community. In the Black community, faith-based organizations are respected institutions advocating for health equity and justice. Given their vital role as community health gatekeepers, the iCCaRE Consortium partners with faith-based organizations. Rooted in community engaged research (CER), we conducted an environmental scan through stakeholder meetings to discuss the prevailing challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of the Black community along the prostate cancer care continuum. iCCaRE investigators including Partnership Engagement Services (PES) core partnered with faith-based organizations to ensure and advance community responsive cancer prevention. Together, with our faith-based leaders (N=18), we identified gaps including issues associated with the care continuum from screening to diagnosis and from treatment to survivorship; disparities according to health coverage and social determinants of health, and best practices to assist patients including care coordination, patient navigation, digital innovations, and programs offered by patient advocacy organizations. In response to the needs of the community and the strengths of faith-based organization, we prioritized our initial focus on increasing community prostate cancer literacy and activation using co-design educational infographics for both traditional and technology-based communication platforms. The infographics provided evidence-based facts about prostate cancer burden in the Black community; and using a call to action approach, we emphasized the importance of taking action for life saving screening, prevention and healthy lifestyle. Taking action in prostate cancer symptom recognition, survivorship care, and quality care. Also, co-designed infographics were created for clinical studies and biospecimen awareness and participation and the importance of advocacy and equitable care. Another component incorporated face to face trainings and presentations to enhance their knowledge of cancer screening tools, epidemiology of prostate cancer, and pathways to care. This presentation highlighted the first step towards community based intervention development, implementation and dissemination towards equity and justice for prostate cancer prevention and patient/survivor improvements for Black men. Citation Format: James C. Morrison, Kimlin T. Ashing, Gaole Song, Timethia J. Bonner, Che Ngufor, Getachew Dagne, Arnold Merriweather, John McCall, Ewan Cobran, Cassandra N. Moore, Fornati Bedell, Rotimi Oladapo, Floyd B. Willis, Runcie Chidebe Chidebe, Noreen A. Stephenson, JoAnne S. Oliver, Vinessa Gordon, Folakemi Odedina. iCCaRE engagement of faith-based organizations to co-create and co-disseminate infographics addressing disparities in prostate cancer literacy and clinical and biospecimen studies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 808.

Abstract Despite notable progress in early detection, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer within the United States, racial disparities are present very early in the patient journey of Black men, starting with the shared decision-making process. The disproportionately higher number of Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer also suggests that Black men must also contend with the management of associated physiological and psychosocial symptoms. The survivorship care plan was designed to communicate critical information that cancer survivors and their health care advocates need as a guidebook for long term post treatment care, and improved survivorship. An associated systematic literature review conducted by our multidisciplinary investigative team revealed there was a severe underutilization of survivorship care plans within cancer survivorship care especially with Black men. The considerable lack of utilization and/or tailoring of survivorship care plans may be a significant contributor to the worsening of health disparities in this population. Co-designing survivorship care plans with key stakeholders, specifically Black survivors and their health care advocates, is imperative to ensure that the plan meets the needs and preferences that Black men have for survivorship care. This presentation will discuss the steps the investigative team used to address the disparities in shared decision-making, and the subsequent underutilization of survivorship care plans. The investigative team utilized semi-structured interviews and focus group methodology to explore how the lived experiences of Black male prostate cancer survivors are incorporated and addressed in the construction and contents of a culturally tailored survivorship care plan (CaP_SCP- Black Men). An evaluability assessment was conducted to determine whether implementation of the newly created survivorship care plan is feasible, appropriate, and addresses the specific needs of the population before full implementation. This presentation will discuss how this combination of approaches allowed the investigative team to understand how survivorship care plans affect the unique complexities of survivorship in Black men, and allows for the feasibility study of the implementation of a culturally relevant survivorship care plan (CaP_SCP- Black Men) in a population that bears the greatest burden nationally and globally. Citation Format: Timethia Bonner, Kimlin Ashing, Folakemi Odedina. The iCCARE Consortium for Prostate Cancer in Black men: Evaluability assessment of the implementation of a care plan for black prostate cancer survivors [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 A041.