This project aimed to understand the experiences and preferences for social risk factor screening among racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse cancer survivors in the Washington, DC, region.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with English, Spanish, and Amharic-speaking breast and prostate cancer survivors. Data were inductively coded to identify themes, and differences by race and preferred language were evaluated.
Twenty-two interviews in English (n = 14), Spanish (n = 7), and Amharic (n = 1) among participants who identified as Black (n = 8), White (n = 5), Asian (n = 1), Other (n = 6), and multiracial (n = 2) were completed. Participants reported unresolved needs during treatment including transportation, healthful food, mental health care, financial help, and employment assistance. COVID-19 exacerbated many needs. Most participants did not recall discussing needs with oncology teams, but all participants were open to having these conversations.
This research reveals that cancer survivors might benefit from culturally appropriate strategies that address social needs.
Journal of psychosocial oncology. 2025 Feb 13 [Epub ahead of print]
Laura C Schubel, Jessica Rivera Rivera, Mandi L Pratt-Chapman, Joseph Astorino, Teletia Taylor, Robin Littlejohn, Judith Lee Smith, Susan A Sabatino, Arica White, Bryan O Buckley, Christopher King, Jeanne Mandelblatt, Christopher Gallagher, Hannah Arem
National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA., Implementation Science; Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA., The George Washington University Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA., Howard University College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA., Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA., MedStar Institute for Quality and Safety, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA., School of Health at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA., Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA., Department of Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA.