Abstract B033: Understanding Latinas’ decisions to participate in a unique breast cancer clinical trial: A qualitative constructivist grounded theory study

Abstract Background & Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Latinas in the United States; however, researchers often fail to use recruitment messaging targeted toward increasing Latina participation. Although the cancer disparities observed among this population are significant, these group members account for only 1.3% of cancer-related clinical trial participants in the United States. The barriers preventing Latinas’ participation in research are well-established, but there are few studies focused on comprehending the motivations of Latinas who previously volunteered for clinical trial participation. The aims of this study were to improve the understanding of Latinas’ decisions to participate in a unique breast cancer clinical trial and to propose future methods for increasing these group members’ motivations regarding medical research participation. Methods: Guided by constructivist grounded theory, twenty women (N= 20) who self-identified as Latina or Hispanic, and who had previously donated healthy breast tissue to a biobank that was part of a clinical trial, were interviewed regarding their medical research participation decisions. Participants were recruited through direct email and interviews were conducted over Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Results: Findings revealed three primary themes: (1) the availability of both bilingual recruitment materials and research team personnel were viewed as important motivators to participate, (2) the knowledge of their underrepresentation in medical research and the understanding that their participation may help Latinas in the future were revealed as important motivators to participate, and (3) individuals who received negative feedback from family and/or friends about their intended research participation remained resolute in their decision to donate tissue. Conclusions: Understanding the motivations of Latinas who have previously participated in cancer-related clinical trials can help researchers create targeted and/or tailored recruitment messaging. Messaging must emphasize the consequences of underrepresentation of Latinas in clinical trials, be bilingual, and communicate that participation in cancer clinical trials can positively impact the health of other Latinas in the future. Citation Format: Katherine E. Ridley-Merriweather, Katherine Vogel. Understanding Latinas’ decisions to participate in a unique breast cancer clinical trial: A qualitative constructivist grounded theory study [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 B033.