ATTITUDES OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS REGARDING PROSTATE-CANCER CLINICAL-TRIALS

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess attitudes associ ated with the willingness of African-Americans to participate in prost ate cancer clinical trials, Fifty-six African-American males, 40 years of age and older, were recruited from South Central Los Angeles. Resp ondents were divided into lower or middle socio-economic groups based on education and occupation. Focus group discussions were conducted to assess their knowledge about prostate cancer and willingness to parti cipate in prostate cancer clinical trials. In addition, information wa s obtained to identify their incentives and barriers toward participat ing in prostate cancer research. Middle socio-economic respondents exp ressed a greater willingness to participate in prostate cancer clinica l trials than did men of lower socio-economic status. Many indicated t hat they would be more likely to participate if they were encouraged t o do so by a physician or researcher who was viewed as being competent and compassionate. Barriers to participation in prostate cancer clini cal trials included concerns about drug toxicity, medical experimentat ion and distrust of the medical establishment. Endeavors aimed at incr easing minority representation in prostate cancer clinical studies sho uld address these issues.