Alaska Native (AN) people have among the highest rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) globally. We are developing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) informed program to understand risk and protective factors contributing to these high rates. In 2018, we conducted a pilot study to test feasibility of recruiting participants from the Alaska Native Medical Center CRC Screening Clinic into a prospective epidemiologic study. Post-pilot study completion, we conducted focus groups (n = 2) with participants and key informant interviews (n = 7) with research and clinical staff to understand study experiences. During 106 days of recruitment, 30 participants enrolled in the pilot study. Over half (60%) were female, and most (67%) were aged 40-59 years. Key themes that emerged from the participant focus groups were: the desire to contribute to improving the health of AN people as a key driver of participation; an overall positive experience with the study; the benefit of clinical staff notifying patients about the study; the need to clearly explain the purpose of each biospecimen collected; barriers to participation; and, the importance of returning study results to the community. Key themes from research and clinical staff interviews included: the study not interfering with clinical duties; the importance of relationships between clinical and research staff; the importance of research staff flexibility; and, comments on specific study procedures. As part of the CBPR process, this feedback will be incorporated into study protocols. We are building this pilot work into a larger prospective study that will inform primary prevention programs.
Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Community-engaged research; Native American; Risk and protective factors.