Earlier work explored barriers and facilitators to accessing prostate cancer screening, particularly in underserved communities, and provided valuable insights to build upon. This study will explore perspectives on how genetic risk for prostate cancer is explained and understood through in-depth interviews with members of underserved communities. Findings from this work, alongside earlier results, will be used to co-design clear and accessible digital educational resources in collaboration with community members and relevant charities. Participation in cancer screening programmes in the UK varies, with differences linked to socioeconomic status, ethnicity and health literacy. Similar inequalities are seen in access to prostate cancer genetics services, indicating a need for improved engagement. Successful integration of genetics into prostate cancer care requires clear and inclusive information about genetic testing processes, possible outcomes and interpretation of results. Currently, there are limited resources explaining genetic risk for prostate cancer in an accessible way. Co-production with representatives from underserved communities will ensure that educational materials are understandable, relevant and acceptable to all.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Evaluation of educational materials, demonstrating that users have an increase in understanding or prostate cancer risk and symptoms as well as genetic risk.
Timeframe: February 2026 to August 2026
Increased representation from underserved groups in the referrals to our genetic research studies.
Timeframe: As soon as the educational materials are live, which we aim to be from June 2026, increase in referrals to our genetic research studies from under-represented groups will be measured. This will take place for 12 months.
Qualitative data such as hits to the webpage and scroll depth and how many have signed up to the genetic research studies via the website.
Timeframe: These data will be collected from as soon as the webpage goes live for the subsequent 12 months.