Fact or Myth? Black Patients Do Not Want to Participate in Clinical Trials.

Objectives: To assess strategies for optimizing participation of underserved minorities in a blood-based early CRC detection test study (PREEMPT CRC; NCT04369053) at a hospital serving primarily Black patients.

Methods: Culturally sensitive, racially congruent research staff approached patients undergoing average-risk screening colonoscopy. Consent/study procedures were synchronized with clinical appointments. Enrolled and not-enrolled patient characteristics were compared. Recruitment was compared with other study sites.

Results: 247/509 eligible participants enrolled; most identified as Black (88.7%). No baseline characteristics were associated with participation. Recruitment was high compared to other sites (11th centile).

Conclusions: Recruitment barriers for Black individuals can be overcome when easy, culturally sensitive access is facilitated.