The development of programs targeted toward underrepresented populations and evaluation of communications strategies to assess the effectiveness of such programs to improve health outcomes is essential to diminish disparities. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a community symposium and education program to highlight prostate cancer disparities among high risk populations.

MOCHA was contacted in March 2012, by Mass Department of Public Health, to present a community program to highlight prostate cancer. The prostate cancer symposium was intended to utilize an innovative community based partnership and research concept to disseminate health information in specific settings for special populations. Over 150 persons attended the MOCHA Prostate Cancer symposium, held at a regional convention and events center in Springfield, Massachusetts. 118 completed distributed surveys to assess opinions about PSA screening and impact of program format.

A utilization of community based programs that focus on minority populations can represent an effective strategy and approach to communicate with special populations- particularly men of color. Men of color still support use of PSA blood test as a screening tool for prostate cancer, and minority groups will attend symposiums if encouraged by representatives that resemble their population. Men of color will support programs with research focuses and find information beneficial to their overall health.

Citation Format: Sanford E. Jeames. Cancer communication to minority populations/MOCHA Prostate Cancer Symposium. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr ADV11. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-ADV11

©2013 American Association for Cancer Research
2013