A pilot program in collaboration with African American churches successfully increases awareness of the importance of cancer research and participation in cancer translational research studies among African Americans

Gerardo Colon-Otero, Monica Albertie, Mary Lesperance, Jennifer A. Weis, Alton Coles, Nina Smith, Lynette Mills, Timothy Woodward, Alvaro Moreno Aspitia, Prakash Vishnu, Floyd Willis, Amber Isley, Rafael Fonseca, Celine Vachon, S. Vincent Rajkumar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

African Americans are underrepresented in cancer research. We evaluate whether collaboration with African American churches can improve cancer awareness and increase participation in translational research protocols among African Americans. From February to April 2010, the Mayo Clinic partnered with African American Jacksonville churches to provide educational programs focused on cancer research and healthy behaviors. Education on multiple myeloma and on-site access to a translational cancer research pilot project evaluating the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies and t(14,18) in African Americans was offered. Seventy-four percent, 236 out of 318 participants, returned the questionnaires. The majority of participants had never received information on multiple myeloma (67%), had never received clinical research study information (57%), and were enrolled in the translational research studies (55%). Partnerships with African American churches in community education projects that bring research to church venues are effective in improving cancer awareness and in increasing research participation among African Americans.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)294-298
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Cancer Education
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • African Americans
  • Cancer
  • Healthcare disparities
  • Minority health
  • Monoclonal proteins
  • Multiple myeloma
  • t (14,18)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A pilot program in collaboration with African American churches successfully increases awareness of the importance of cancer research and participation in cancer translational research studies among African Americans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this