Abstract B20: Community bridges to cancer clinical trials: Evaluating community education modules

Cancer clinical trials are a source for high-quality cancer care. However, they are often perceived as an option of last resort. Raising consciousness about cancer clinical trials in community settings may lead to informed decision-making about cancer clinical trials. Objective: To modify and pilot training materials for a community organization intervention to positively impact knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding cancer research in African American communities in North Carolina. Methodology: The Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and four community-based organizations collaborated using CBPR methods to revise cancer clinical trials education materials for Southern African American communities. Three cancer clinical trials education modules were developed and piloted in African American Communities with 128 participatnts. Modules include: 1) a workshop about cancer clinical trials and what they mean for communities; 2) a storytelling discussion describing one person9s experience with cancer clinical trials; and 3) a discussion session that reviews the myths and facts about cancer clinical trials. Results/Impact: This presentation describes the preliminary findings of the intervention. Participants demonstrated understanding of the definition of clinical trials. Preliminary results establish consensus that participants desire equal access to cancer clinical trials, improved community education, and personal interest in learning more about clinical trials. Conclusions: Culturally sensitive community education sessions about cancer clinical trials improve favorable attitudes towards clinical trials. Actively engaging African American communities in dialogue about cancer research is necessary to create community awareness of the role of cancer research in reducing health disparities. Engaging community partners in cancer clinical trials education is synergistic with their mission of equal access to care. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B20.