# Genetic Literacy and Patient-Caregiver Communication of Prognostic Genetic Technology for Localized Prostate Cancer

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · 2021 · $171,973

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Novel genomic technology, such as microarray analyses and next-generation sequencing, have improved the
understanding of prostate cancer biology and prognosis. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network
(NCCN), in 2016, recommended that patients and clinicians consider tissue-based genetic tests for localized
prostate cancer. However, while much enthusiasm currently exits for the rapidly increasing field of genomic
medicine, the use of multi-gene mRNA expression panels raises the potential for further divergence in prostate
cancer treatment outcomes by race and low socioeconomic status. We know that health disparities persist in
low income groups despite the existence of evidence-based guidelines and that adoption of state-of-the-art
methods often lag behind in these groups.
The goals of this NCI K01 application are to (1) explore how men with localized prostate cancer and their
caregivers comprehend prognostic genetic technology, and (2) examine how an educational video about
genetics impacts patient-caregiver communication of prognostic genetic technology. The study rationale is that
without direct attention to genomic comprehension, the enthusiasm that exists in the rapidly increasing field of
prostate cancer genomic medicine may not translate into health benefits for men with localized prostate
cancer. The central hypotheses are (1) men and caregivers with lower levels of education will demonstrate a
severe lack of genomic comprehension of tissue-based genetic tests for localized prostate cancer; and (2)
tailored prostate cancer education, communication coaching, and a genomic literacy educational video will
significantly improve patient-caregiver communication in a low literacy population.
The study approach is innovative because it applies a mixed-methods community-engagement research
framework to explore how African American and rural White men with localized prostate cancer,
comprehend and interpret data generated from genetic technology. The proposed research is significant
because of its potential to improve public health by (1) improving the understanding of prognostic genetics in
minority, low income, and rural populations, and (2) engage and educate these diverse communities about
genomics. The proposed research, in combination with a structured mentoring and training plan that includes
didactic course and workshops, is designed to facilitate Dr. Ewan Cobran’s long term goal of developing an
independently-funded research program in prostate cancer disparities, consistent with the mission of the
NCI.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10261503
- **Project number:** 5K01CA230193-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ewan Kemar Cobran
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $171,973
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-10 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10261503

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10261503, Genetic Literacy and Patient-Caregiver Communication of Prognostic Genetic Technology for Localized Prostate Cancer (5K01CA230193-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10261503. Licensed CC0.

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