ASPO Abstracts

Challenges and Successes in Recruiting African Americans with Early Stage, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to an NIMHD-Funded, NCORP-Based Patient Navigation Trial

Authors: Ford ME, Bryant DC, Cartmell KB, Sterba K, Burshell DR, Hill EG, De Toma A, Knight KD, Weaver K, Calhoun E, Esnaola NF

Category: Cancer Health Disparities, Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2018

Abstract Body:
BACKGROUND: Enrollment of early-stage lung cancer patients to randomized trials has historically been challenging. The STARS Trial enrolled 36 of 1,030 intended patients from 28 sites, while the ROSEL Trial recruited 22 of 960 intended patients from 10 sites. Unfortunately, evidence shows African Americans (AAs) with early-stage NSCLC are significantly less likely than their non-Hispanic white (NHW) counterparts to receive surgery, and may also be less likely to participate in lung cancer trials. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to describe interim recruitment results from an NIMHD-funded, NCI NCORP-based patient navigation (PN) trial that is evaluating the effectiveness of the PN intervention in improving rates of lung-directed, curative-intent therapy (surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)) in AAs with Stage I-II NSCLC. DESIGN: The protocol- driven, barrier-focused PN intervention is being tested in a two-arm cluster-randomized trial (PN intervention vs. usual care). The trial includes 23 study sites in 13 US states, with an accrual goal of 200 participants. Trial recruitment enhancement activities include contacting physicians from multiple disciplines (e.g., primary care, pulmonology, radiology) to increase referral of AA patients to the trial, and raising community awareness of the trial. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: To date, 111 AAs have been recruited, with a 90% consent rate. The majority of potential participants were ineligible due to receipt of surgery or SBRT prior to enrollment (27%), or having a later- stage lung cancer diagnosis (25%). The recruitment strategies have high potential applicability in future clinical trials that seek to improve the cancer health outcomes of AAs

Keywords: lung cancer, patient navigation, health disparities, african americans