2505 - Patient Motivations and Barriers to Biospecimen Collection within a GU Radiation Oncology Clinic
Presenter(s)
K. Kim1, A. Odogiyon2, G. E. Cerrato2, V. Nambi2, J. Y. Wo3, H. Willers4, D. T. Miyamoto5, J. A. Efstathiou6, and S. C. Kamran6; 1Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 3Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 4Department of Radiation Oncology, Mass General Brigham/ Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 5Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 6Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Purpose/Objective(s): Racial and ethnic imbalances in translational research may limit the generalizability of precision oncology. Since 2019, our institution has conducted a longitudinal biospecimen collection study in patients receiving radiation therapy (RT). This study evaluated motivations and barriers to participation among genitourinary (GU) cancer patients, with the hypothesis that these factors differ by demographic characteristics.
Materials/Methods: Patients receiving RT were approached to complete surveys (under an IRB-approved protocol) as part of the department-wide longitudinal biospecimen collection study, regardless of biospecimen consent. This analysis focused on GU patients, who comprised 62% of 934 enrolled patients. Surveys were administered at protocol-specified timepoints and assessed motivations and experiences related to participation. Demographic and clinical data were collected from patient charts. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics and survey responses. Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively.
Results: Between 01/2025-02/2026, 451 eligible patients were approached; 238 (52%) completed at least 1 survey. Most were male (99%) with prostate cancer (95%). Median age was 70 (range: 51–90). Self-identified race/ethnicity was White (85%), Black (5%), Asian (2%), Hispanic (2%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (1%), and unknown (5%). Among respondents, 60% completed all planned biospecimen collections, 37% remained enrolled, and 3% refused biospecimen collection. Altruism (91%) and physician trust (52%) were the most common motivators for participation. Black patients were more likely than White patients to cite race/ethnic representation as a motivator (50% vs. 10%, p =0.001). Logistical barriers to participation — including scheduling and inconvenience of blood draw — were prominent among the 3% who refused biospecimen participation as well as among 6% of the 142 patients who ultimately completed the study yet considered dropping out. Those who considered dropout due to logistical barriers were younger (median age 61 vs. 70, p=0.04), lived in lower-income ZIP codes (median $98,884 vs. $122,214; p=0.03), and were more likely to be Black (40% vs. 3.8%, p=0.05).
Conclusion: Altruism and physician trust were the strongest motivators for participation. Black patients may be motivated by awareness of their underrepresentation in research. Logistical challenges appear to be a major contribution to biospecimen collection refusal and potential study drop out. Therefore, efforts need to be made to ensure that these barriers are addressed, and tools such as dedicated patient navigators may improve rates of biospecimen collection, particularly for younger patients and individuals from lower-income communities.