Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia
Abstract Background Listening sessions are useful for understanding community perspectives on cancer disparities. The Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) coalition conducted listening sessions to identify community priorities for cancer prevention and control research among diverse comm...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00713-4 |
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| author | Karen Glanz Emma Adelia Soliva Krista Scheffey Yawei Song Charnita Zeigler-Johnson Evelyn T. González Thierry Fortune Nilsa Graciani Amy E. Leader |
| author_facet | Karen Glanz Emma Adelia Soliva Krista Scheffey Yawei Song Charnita Zeigler-Johnson Evelyn T. González Thierry Fortune Nilsa Graciani Amy E. Leader |
| author_sort | Karen Glanz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Listening sessions are useful for understanding community perspectives on cancer disparities. The Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) coalition conducted listening sessions to identify community priorities for cancer prevention and control research among diverse communities in Philadelphia. Methods Guided by a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, PC3 partnered with community-based organizations to conduct 8 listening sessions with diverse communities (including Black, Hispanic, Asian, Russian, LGBTQ + , and veterans) to learn about perceptions of cancer, research priorities, and training and communication preferences. Sessions were facilitated by community members or PC3 members in the primary language of participants. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. NVivo analysis software was used to confirm main themes. Results There were 126 participants who ranged in age from 21 to 90. Participants were primarily female (78.6%), 60 + years of age (61%), and non-white (80%), with less than college education (75%). Participants’ general views of cancer were negative and shrouded in helplessness and burden. Cancer research was viewed both positively and negatively. Hesitation to participate in research was related to negative experiences, language barriers, distrust, and lack of information. Participants preferred receiving information about research from sources that they considered to be reputable and in their preferred languages. Participants thought that community researcher trainings could be facilitated by incentives, transportation, and flexibility in scheduling. Conclusions Common themes and perspectives about cancer, research, and barriers to cancer care were shared across groups. Identifying and implementing community-derived strategies for overcoming barriers can increase cancer research participation among diverse populations and help reduce cancer disparities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fbb48d8bb9c74ffb8e08b2a8ffe73cd1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 3005-0774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-fbb48d8bb9c74ffb8e08b2a8ffe73cd12025-08-20T02:06:19ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-06-0122111010.1186/s12982-025-00713-4Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in PhiladelphiaKaren Glanz0Emma Adelia Soliva1Krista Scheffey2Yawei Song3Charnita Zeigler-Johnson4Evelyn T. González5Thierry Fortune6Nilsa Graciani7Amy E. Leader8Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPerelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPerelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaSidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFox Chase Cancer Center - Temple HealthFox Chase Cancer Center - Temple HealthPhiladelphia Department of Public HealthEsperanza College of Eastern UniversityDivision of Population Science, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson UniversityAbstract Background Listening sessions are useful for understanding community perspectives on cancer disparities. The Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) coalition conducted listening sessions to identify community priorities for cancer prevention and control research among diverse communities in Philadelphia. Methods Guided by a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, PC3 partnered with community-based organizations to conduct 8 listening sessions with diverse communities (including Black, Hispanic, Asian, Russian, LGBTQ + , and veterans) to learn about perceptions of cancer, research priorities, and training and communication preferences. Sessions were facilitated by community members or PC3 members in the primary language of participants. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. NVivo analysis software was used to confirm main themes. Results There were 126 participants who ranged in age from 21 to 90. Participants were primarily female (78.6%), 60 + years of age (61%), and non-white (80%), with less than college education (75%). Participants’ general views of cancer were negative and shrouded in helplessness and burden. Cancer research was viewed both positively and negatively. Hesitation to participate in research was related to negative experiences, language barriers, distrust, and lack of information. Participants preferred receiving information about research from sources that they considered to be reputable and in their preferred languages. Participants thought that community researcher trainings could be facilitated by incentives, transportation, and flexibility in scheduling. Conclusions Common themes and perspectives about cancer, research, and barriers to cancer care were shared across groups. Identifying and implementing community-derived strategies for overcoming barriers can increase cancer research participation among diverse populations and help reduce cancer disparities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00713-4Cancer controlHealth disparitiesListening sessionsCommunity research |
| spellingShingle | Karen Glanz Emma Adelia Soliva Krista Scheffey Yawei Song Charnita Zeigler-Johnson Evelyn T. González Thierry Fortune Nilsa Graciani Amy E. Leader Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia Discover Public Health Cancer control Health disparities Listening sessions Community research |
| title | Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia |
| title_full | Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia |
| title_fullStr | Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia |
| title_short | Community perspectives on cancer and cancer research: findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in Philadelphia |
| title_sort | community perspectives on cancer and cancer research findings from listening sessions with diverse groups in philadelphia |
| topic | Cancer control Health disparities Listening sessions Community research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00713-4 |
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