Abstract B051: Baseline characteristics from the c-CARE initiative: A faith-based approach to advancing cancer prevention and equity in underserved communities

Abstract Background: The cancer-Community Awareness, Access, Research, & Education (c-CARE) initiative is a community-engaged cancer prevention and early detection program designed to address disparities in cancer outcomes among historically marginalized populations in Georgia. Anchored in trusted community institutions, all c-CARE activities—including recruitment, education, and patient navigation—are implemented in partnership with faith-based organizations serving predominantly Black and medically underserved congregations. The study aimed to evaluate baseline data using a faith-centered approach to identify the participants' needs in cancer prevention, laying the foundation for tailored, equity-focused interventions. Methods: Participants were recruited through established collaborations with faith-based organizations across eight urban and rural communities in Georgia during August 2023 and August 2024. Upon enrollment, participants completed a baseline assessment that included demographic and biophysical measures, cancer screening history, healthcare access indicators, and cancer-related knowledge and beliefs. The intervention was delivered on-site over 5 weekly sessions by trained teams of two to three trained Community Health Workers (CHWs), following a standardized protocol. Patient navigation services were provided by the study team in coordination with cancer center resources. Results: To date, 274 participants have completed baseline assessments across five urban and three rural sites. The sample was predominantly Black (98.9%) and female (75.6%). Approximately 43.4% of participants reported public insurance coverage, and 52.6% were under the age of 65. The majority (78.1%) were classified as overweight or obese. Among 268 participants with completed clinical measures, a significant proportion of participants exhibited elevated levels across key indicators: 35.9% had blood pressure readings ≥140/90 mmHg, 26.1% had total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, and 10.4% had non-fasting glucose levels >125 mg/dL. Additionally, 8% of participants reported current tobacco use, and 21.2% identified as former smokers. Preliminary analyses revealed notable gaps in cancer screening adherence and healthcare engagement: 14.3% had never undergone colorectal cancer screening, 50% of male participants had never received a PSA test for prostate cancer, 10% of female participants had never had a mammogram for breast cancer, and 27% endorsed fatalistic beliefs about cancer. Nevertheless, 80% of participants expressed comfort in discussing cancer-related concerns with their physician. Conclusions: Baseline findings from the C-CARE initiative highlight the effectiveness of leveraging faith-based settings to engage medically underserved populations in cancer prevention efforts. The results underscore the critical role of culturally tailored, community-anchored strategies in reducing cancer disparities and advancing health equity. This data will inform ongoing implementation and evaluation of the program and may be replicable in other studies across different geographic areas. Citation Format: Marlo Vernon, Meng-Han Tsai, Kiara Houston, Martha Tingen. Baseline characteristics from the c-CARE initiative: A faith-based approach to advancing cancer prevention and equity in underserved communities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B051.