Abstract C132: Providing choices to enhance uptake in cancer prevention and early detection measures in African Americans in rural and urban Southern churches in Georgia

Abstract Introduction: Uptake of cancer prevention and early detection measures among African Americans (AAs) remains low, including completion of the Tyrer-Cuzick (TC) risk assessment survey for breast cancer, the blood test for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) related to multiple myeloma, and saliva-based hereditary genetic screening. This study aimed to evaluate whether offering these measures as “optional components” within the main educational research program would improve participation and uptake of these key risk assessments. Methods: The cancer-Community Awareness Access Research & Education II (c-CARE II) is a research study, one group, pre-post design with repeated measures after baseline at 5, 12, and 24 weeks. It is an educational program aimed at prevention and early detection of breast, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancers for AAs. Eight churches (5 urban and 3 rural) in the southern US, state of Georgia, have participated to date and the study is ongoing. The program is delivered by 3-4 trained church members selected by their church pastors, and these are referred to as Community Health Workers. The study follows an established protocol and timeline with five sessions, one per week, held at each church. In addition, all participants who enrolled in the main study are offered the option of choosing any, all, or none of three prevention/early detection measures: TC risk assessment survey; blood sample MGUS; and saliva testing for genetic cancer screening. New Data/Results: Of 274 enrolled, 75.5% (n=207) were female, and 52.6% (n=144) were under 65 years. Nearly all (98.9%, n=271) identified as AAs. Most had some college or higher education (74.5%, n=204), and 92.3% (n=253) reported good or excellent health. The majority were obese based on the body mass index (BMI) (55.5%, n=152). Of the 207 females enrolled, 95% (n=196) were eligible to complete the TC interview, and 95% (n=187) completed this. For MGUS, 88% (n=240) chose to participate in this optional measure, which required a venous blood draw. Regarding genetic testing, 94% (n=257) chose to participate. Conclusions: It is important to note that although over half of those enrolled were obese, 92.3% of the participants rated good or excellent health. This highlights a gap between perceived and actual health risk, given that obesity is associated with 13 cancers and makes up 40% of all cancer diagnoses. In addition, this study demonstrates that AAs are not only amenable to but choose to participate in optional prevention/early detection measures of breast, multiple myeloma, and genetic familial cancers. The rates of participation, ranging from 88% to 95%, are exceedingly high and have not been seen before in AA populations. These findings suggest that having culturally informed options can significantly improve the uptake of cancer prevention measures among underserved AA populations. Citation Format: Martha S. Tingen, Kiara Houston, Meng-Han Tsai, Priyanka Raval, Anand Jillella, John W. Henson, Charlaine Conger, Lillie Garrett, Marlo M. Vernon. Providing choices to enhance uptake in cancer prevention and early detection measures in African Americans in rural and urban Southern churches in Georgia [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 C132.