Abstract B063: Experiences and perspectives of a community advisory board in the Participant Engagement and Cancer Genomic Sequencing network

Abstract Background: Implementing Community Advisory Boards (CABs) in cancer research is known to strengthen all stages of the research process. Few cancer genomics studies, however, have described the experiences and contributions of CABs from the perspectives of the CAB members themselves. This knowledge could help foreground the benefits of participating in a CAB and identify specific challenges to iteratively address. Methods: The Participant Engagement Advisory Board (PEAB) was developed as a CAB for the Washington University Participant Engagement and Cancer Genomic Sequencing Center (PE-CGS). This study aimed to optimize community-engaged research approaches for improving knowledge of the genomics of three understudied cancer types: cholangiocarcinoma, multiple myeloma among Black Americans, and early-onset colorectal cancer among Black Americans. The PEAB was tasked with co-designing and providing feedback on study processes, including recruitment, informed consent, survey design, return of genomic results, and educational materials. Five PEAB members, all of whom are cancer patient advocates, discussed their experiences and contributions to the study during two listening sessions. The research team took notes, conducted member checking, and, with the PEAB, produced a final concept map and set of qualitative themes describing the benefits and challenges of participating in a CAB. Results: Themes related to the benefits of serving on a CAB were: (1) increased trust among PEAB members, participants, and researchers; (2) empowerment to advocate for community interests in cancer and/or genomics research settings; and (3) expansion of personal and professional networks. PEAB members felt their input was valued, especially when the research team addressed challenges that the PEAB voiced—making them “partners in research.” Challenges of serving on a CAB included (1) learning cancer genomics research terminology; (2) understanding how the purpose and processes of institutional review boards and the National Institutes of Health grant policies impact CAB involvement and sustainability; and (3) determining how to use their position in the PEAB to engage others in PE-CGS. Conclusion: The findings from this work reflect positive experiences and challenges that PEAB members experienced while serving as research partners in the PE-CGS. This work demonstrates that CAB members value participation in research partnerships focused on cancer genomics research and can also help identify and address challenges with participation in a CAB. As the PE-CGS begins to return results to participants and disseminate research findings, the PEAB members and research team will continue to work together to address active challenges and optimize community-engaged research approaches. Such work can help improve the long-lasting impact of a CAB on the overall research process and galvanize the normalization of community engagement as integral to cancer genomics research. Citation Format: Bailey Martin-Giacalone, Dionne Stalling, Shannon Lee-Sin, Kayla Wallace, Briana Wilson, Christine M. Marx, Adria Dillon, Melinda Bachini, Nancy Chollet, Heather Siedhoff, Bettina F. Drake, Graham A. Colditz. Experiences and perspectives of a community advisory board in the Participant Engagement and Cancer Genomic Sequencing network abstract. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B063.