A scoping review of the evidence on survivorship care plans among minority, rural, and low-income populations

PURPOSE

Despite recent advances in cancer control and the number of cancer survivors increasing substantially over the past years, some cancer survivors continue to experience disparities due to barriers to recommended survivorship care. The use of survivorship care plans (SCPs) may be a way to help care for these individuals and their respective issues after they complete their primary treatment. The purpose of this scoping review is to understand the evidence on SCPs among minority, rural, and low-income populations: groups that experience disproportionately poorer cancer health outcomes.

METHODS

Computer-based searches were conducted in four academic databases. We included peer-reviewed studies published in the English language and conducted in the USA. We systematically extracted information from each paper meeting our inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Our search identified 45 articles. The 4 major themes identified were (1) disparities in the receipt of SCPs where populations experience unmet needs; (2) benefits of SCPs, including improved care coordination and self-management of cancer; (3) needs and preferences for survivorship care; and (4) barriers and facilitators to using SCPs.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the potential benefits, underserved cancer survivors experience disparities in the receipt of SCPs and continue to have unmet needs in their survivorship care. Survivorship care may benefit from a risk-stratified approach where SCPs are prioritized to survivors belonging to high-risk groups.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

SCPs are a tool to deliver quality care for cancer survivors. While evidence is mixed on SCPs' benefits among the general population, SCPs show promise for underserved populations when it comes to proximal outcomes that contribute to disparities.

Culturally-tailored survivorship care planning for rural Latina breast cancer patients: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility and acceptability of Proyecto Mariposa, a culturally-tailored survivorship care program for rural Latina breast cancer patients.

DESIGN

Single group mixed-method approach.

METHODS

Feasibility of recruitment, intervention and evaluation, and perceptions about the intervention were assessed with 18 rural Latina breast cancer patients from the US/Mexico border region. Pre-post assessments evaluated change in patients' knowledge and concerns about survivorship care, and their self-efficacy about patient-physician interaction and managing chronic disease.

FINDINGS

Feasibility was generally promising but affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Participants found the intervention to be acceptable and useful, particularly with regard to information provision and encouraging proactive behavior. There was modest pre-post improvement on self-efficacy for managing disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study suggested feasibility and acceptability of Proyecto Mariposa for rural Latina breast cancer patients. Change in outcomes was small indicating the need for research with a larger sample to establish reliable findings.

Factors Impacting Management of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL) in Hispanic/Latina Breast Cancer Survivors: A Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a treatment sequela with negative physical and psychological implications. BCRL is a lifetime concern for survivors and is currently incurable. With the increase in the Latino population in the United States, it is critical for the cancer care community to address factors that increase BCRL risk and negatively impact long-term quality of life. This literature review undertook to identify successful intervention strategies for BCRL among Latina survivors.

METHODS

Multiple databases were searched for published articles from 2006 to 2020. PRISMA guidelines were utilized. Data were extracted related to physical activity, diet, and psychosocial stress concerns of Latinas at risk for or living with BCRL.

RESULTS

Eleven interventions combined education and skill-building techniques to address physical activity, diet, and stress management for BCRL. Family involvement, peer-mentoring, culturally tailored education, and self-care skill development were identified as important for Latina survivors.

CONCLUSION

Latina survivors may benefit from culturally tailored BCRL education programs and self-management interventions. Health care professionals and researchers should consider cultural influences when developing clinical intervention strategies to enhance outcomes for Latinas at risk for living with BCRL. In addition, including family members and/or peers in such strategies may be helpful to Latina survivors.

Creating community: Expanding access to psychosocial programs for Latina breast cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer survivors often derive benefits from psychosocial interventions, but less is known about Latina women's experiences. Given the disproportionately high disease burden faced by Latina survivors, it is critical to examine ways to enhance access for this population. Thus, the present study aimed to (a) examine women's perceptions of factors associated with effective delivery of a psychosocial program designed for Spanish speaking women with limited access to care, and (b) identify the mechanisms by which the program enhanced women's psychological well-being.

METHODS

In a qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 immigrant Latina breast cancer survivors who previously received psychosocial services at a community-based organization. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Through open, axial, and selective coding, we arrived at the core category achieving a sense of community. The psychosocial program promoted access and enhanced women's psychological well-being by creating a sense of community among participants. This was facilitated by three primary aspects of service provision: access factors, a holistic approach to health, and therapeutic factors imparted through a biweekly support group.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial services promoted a sense of community among Latina breast cancer survivors while reflecting their cultural values and unique psychosocial needs. Findings may guide the development of interventions to increase access to care, enhance health outcomes, and create and maintain a sense of community among medically underserved populations.

Perspectives of Survivorship Care Plans Among Older Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

The Commission on Cancer’s standard 3.3 represents a paradigm shift in the care of cancer survivors, recommending that survivors receive a treatment summary and survivorship care plan (SCPs). A focus on older breast cancer survivors is needed, as they are the majority of the breast cancer population and their experiences and perspectives of SCPs is limited in the literature. This pilot study utilized a mixed methods approach (focus groups and self-report questionnaire data) to gather information on older (≥65 years) breast cancer survivors’ perspectives of their SCPs, cancer survivorship, and communication with their health-care providers. The questionnaire was completed individually by the participants prior to the focus group and contained items on basic demographics and their health status following cancer treatment. The focus groups indicated that only a minority of women actually developed a SCP. Those who developed a SCP in collaboration with their providers valued the personal care and attention received. However, some participants reported poor communication with their providers and within their health-care team, resulting in frustration and confusion. Participants’ suggestions for ideal SCPs included better education and personalization, particularly in appropriate nutrition and exercise, and managing side effects and comorbidities. Lastly, the women believed that additional long-term care resources, such as health coaches, were important in improving their survivorship. These findings provide insight into enhancing the content, communication, and application of SCPs to improve the survivorship experience of older breast cancer survivors.

Breast Cancer Survivorship Experiences of Urban Hispanic Women

The purpose of this study was to explore determinates of health that impact survivorship of urban Hispanic breast cancer survivors who are at risk for experiencing poorer outcomes than others. Some challenges have been characterized, but gaps in our knowledge of the impact of some of the social determinates of health remain. Challenges likely exist prior to a diagnosis of cancer and may amplify in intensity during survivorship, potentially shortening survival and quality of life of these women. A narrative, focus group was conducted with a group of urban Hispanic breast cancer survivors. A series of linked vignettes describing survivorship challenges and late effects of breast cancer pathology and treatment were used to stimulate discussion. Three themes impacting survivorship were identified. The themes included communication (health literacy), isolation, and social support and financial cost. Communication issues resulted in delays in treatment denial of services. While these themes in cancer survivors are independent of residence (rural, suburban, or urban) and across ethnic groups, some unique issues were identified in urban Hispanic breast cancer survivors. Members of the healthcare team are in a unique position to enhance survivor's health literacy, advocate for programmatic efforts to enhance navigation roles in the hospital and communities, decrease delays in initiating care, and decrease the rate of patients lost.

Development of a Survivorship Care Plan (SCP) Program for Rural Latina Breast Cancer Patients: Proyecto Mariposa-Application of Intervention Mapping

Latina breast cancer survivors are less likely to receive a comprehensive Survivorship Care Plan (SCP) than non-Latina Whites. Evidence-based and theory driven interventions are needed to promote a culturally and linguistically responsive SCP. This paper describes the application of Intervention Mapping (IM) in the development of Proyecto Mariposa, a comprehensive SCP program targeting Latina breast cancer survivors living in a rural U.S.–Mexico border region. We conducted a needs assessment using focus groups (n = 40) and individual interviews (n = 4) with stakeholders to elicit their needs and preferences relating to SCPs and SCP aid (Step1). Content analysis of transcripts was conducted using Atlas.ti. The findings informed the development of a matrix of change objectives where we selected specific behavioral theories to ground the practical application of the SCP program (Step 2). We identified behavioral theories and the practical application of behavioral change (Step 3) and designed and developed a comprehensive SCP program which consisted of a culturally—and linguistically—adapted SCP document and animated video as an SCP aid (Step 4). The systematic application of the IM framework resulted in the development of a comprehensive and culturally tailored SCP intervention. Stakeholder active involvement in the cultural tailoring of the program was imperative and strengthens the SCP intervention.

The use of survivorship care plans by female racial and ethnic minority breast cancer survivors: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Racial/ethnic breast cancer survivorship disparities persist as minority breast cancer survivors (MBCSs) report fragmentation in survivorship care, namely in the access and delivery of survivorship care plans (SCPs). To better understand care coordination of MCBS, this review elucidated concerns of female MBCS about their preparation for post-treatment survivorship care, the preferred practices for the delivery of a SCP, and the associated content to improve post-treatment survivorship care understanding.

METHODS

A systematic search of articles from PubMed, Ovid-Medline, CINAHL databases, and bibliographic reviews included manuscripts using keywords for racial/ethnic minority groups and breast cancer survivorship care coordination terms. Salient themes and article quality were analyzed from the extracted data.

RESULTS

Fourteen included studies represented 5,854 participants and over 12 racial/ethnic groups. The following themes of post-treatment MBCS were identified from the review: (1) uncertainty about post-treatment survivorship care management is a consequence of sub-optimal patient-provider communication; (2) access to SCPs and related materials are desired, but sporadic; and (3) advancements to the delivery and presentation of SCPs and related materials are desired.

CONCLUSIONS

Representation of only 14 studies indicates that the MBCSs' perspective post-treatment survivorship care is underrepresented in the literature. Themes from this review support access to, and implementation of, culturally tailored SCP for MBCS. There was multi-ethnic acceptance of SCPs as a tool to help improve care coordination.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

These findings highlight the importance of general education about post-treatment survivorship, post-treatment survivorship needs identification, and the elucidation of gaps in effective SCP delivery among MBCS.