Abstract PS5-12-03: Improving Clinical Trial Awareness Through Community Education: A Retrospective Survey of Diverse South Florida Participants

Abstract Background: Clinical trials (CTs) are essential for advancing breast cancer (BC) treatment, yet participation remains low, especially among underrepresented groups due to barriers such as mistrust, limited awareness, and perceived burdens. Community-based educational interventions have proven effective in overcoming these barriers. This study retrospectively evaluated changes in group-level knowledge and willingness to participate in CTs before and after a series of community presentations conducted in diverse South Florida communities. Methods: Adults aged 18 or older residing in Palm Beach (PB), Broward (B), or Miami-Dade (MD) counties attended one of three community-based educational presentations on CTs. Presentations were conducted in English (E) in PB and B, and in Spanish (S) in MD and included patient testimonials. Educational sessions were promoted through grassroots community outreach efforts and were funded by the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Anonymous pre- and post-surveys were distributed to assess self-reported understanding of CTs and willingness to participate. Surveys were unlinked and not coded to track individual responses over time, therefore only group level comparisons were possible. One identical question assessing willingness to participate in a clinical trial was included in both pre- and post- surveys at all 3 events. The MD (Spanish-language) event included a second repeat question. Although data collection was originally intended for educational purposes, de-identified responses were retrospectively analyzed after obtaining IRB exemption for secondary use. Chi-square tests were used to compare pre- and post- event responses and to assess differences between E and S-language events. Results: A total of 115 individuals participated across the three CT educational events: 29 in PB, 42 in B, and 44 in MD. Overall, 84% of participants reported understanding the importance of CTs prior to the event, which increased to 100% post-event (p<0.05). Following the sessions, 77% indicated an increased willingness to participate in a CT and 96% reported improved understanding of the types and significance of CT. Among those who were initially hesitant to participate, the most frequently cited concern (33%) was fear of side effects or doubts about treatment efficacy. Additionally, 25% of respondents reported they had never been offered the opportunity to participate in a CT, despite expressing interest. In the S-language MD event, willingness to participate increased from 45% pre-event to 74% post-event; however, this change was not statistically significant (p=0.23). Minimal differences were observed between E and S-language events in terms of overall attitudes and response patterns. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that community-based education can enhance group-level awareness and interest in CTs. The use of patient testimonials and culturally tailored outreach likely contributed to the observed improvements in understanding and willingness to participate. However, the unlinked survey design, small sample size, retrospective analysis, and limited number of repeat questions restrict interpretation of individual-level change and consistency across groups. The gap between interest and opportunity highlights the need for more inclusive recruitment strategies. Future efforts should focus on sustained education, proactive outreach, and trust-building to address misconceptions and improve access. Targeting these efforts at the point of recruitment may help increase CT diversity and participation. Citation Format: A. Sandoval-Leon, L. Dumeny, L. Carcas, C. Thiry, Y. Chamorro, M. Roy, M. Rubens, N. Dempsey, R. Mahtani. Improving Clinical Trial Awareness Through Community Education: A Retrospective Survey of Diverse South Florida Participants [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-12-03.