Testing Three Different Cancer Genetics Registry Recruitment Methods with Hispanic Cancer Patients and Their Family Members Previously Registered in Local Cancer Registries in Texas

Vol. 11, No. 4, 2008

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Testing Three Different Cancer Genetics Registry Recruitment Methods with Hispanic Cancer Patients and Their Family Members Previously Registered in Local Cancer Registries in Texas
Amelie G. Ramirez^a, Alexander R. Miller^b, Kipling Gallion^a, Sandra San Miguel de Majors^a, Patricia Chalela^a, Sandra García Arámburo^a

^aDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute for Health Promotion Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and
^bCancer Prevention and Risk Assessment Clinic, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, San Antonio, Tex., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Community Genet 2008;11:215-223 (DOI: 10.1159/000116882)

Key Words

Cancer Genetics Network
Registry
Recruitment
Hispanics
Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To increase accrual among Hispanics to the Cancer Genetics Network national cancer genetics registry. Methods: Drawing from South Texas cancer registries, 444 Hispanic men and women were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: standard direct-mailed procedures (X1), X1 plus culturally tailored materials (X2), and X2 plus interpersonal phone contact (X3). Participants were also surveyed about the effectiveness of the education materials and the phone contact. A refusal survey was provided for those who declined to join the study. Results: A total of 154 individuals joined the Cancer Genetics Network. The X3 condition yielded the greatest accrual (43.2%) compared to X1 (30.9%) and X2 (29.9%; p < 0.05). Tailored materials appeared to have no effect but were highly regarded. The main reasons for not participating were a lack of interest and time requirements. Conclusion: Interpersonal communication can have a powerful effect on recruitment. However, more research is needed to determine the cost-efficacy of more labor-intensive approaches to registry accrual.

Author Contacts

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez
Institute for Health Promotion Research
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
8207 Callaghan Rd., Suite 353, San Antonio, TX 78230 (USA)
Tel. +1 210 562 6500, Fax +1 210 348 0554, E-Mail ramirezag@uthscsa.edu

Article Information

Published online: April 14, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 6, Number of References : 37

Medline Abstract (ID 18417969)

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Public Health Genomics
is the continuation of
Community Genetics

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