Cancer support and resource needs among African American older adults

A Retrospective Age Analysis of the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey: Differences in Satisfaction across Dimensions of Person-Centred Care and Unmet Needs among Older Adults Receiving Cancer Treatment

Over half of all new cancer cases in Alberta are diagnosed among people aged 65+ years, a group that encompasses vast variation. Patient-reported experience measures are routinely collected within Cancer Care Alberta; however, the specific consideration of the needs and concerns of older Albertans with cancer is lacking. In 2021, 2204 adults who had received treatment at a cancer centre in Alberta completed the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey (AOPSS). In this study, we explored the age differences in satisfaction across six dimensions of person-centred care and in the proportions of unmet needs across eight types of issues, with specific attention to older adults. Using three age groups (18-39, 40-64, 65+), only the physical comfort dimension showed significantly lower satisfaction among those aged 65+ years. Using five age groups (18-39, 40-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85+), significantly lower levels of satisfaction were found related to 'physical comfort' for those aged 65-74 and 75-84, 'coordination and continuity of care' for those aged 75-84 and 85+, and 'information, communication, and education' for those aged 85+. Therefore, grouping together all older adults aged 65+ years obscured lower levels of satisfaction with some dimensions of person-centred care among those aged 75-84 and 85+ years. Unmet needs generally increased with age for all types of issues, with significant differences across age groups for emotional, financial, social/family, and sexual health issues. The lower levels of satisfaction and higher proportions of unmet needs call for tailored interventions to promote optimal care experiences and outcomes among older adults receiving cancer care in Alberta and their families.

Cancer Survivors Living in Rural Settings: A Qualitative Exploration of Concerns, Positive Experiences and Suggestions for Improvements in Survivorship Care

In Canada, the number of cancer survivors continues to increase. It is important to understand what continues to present difficulties after the completion of treatment from their perspectives. Various factors may present barriers to accessing help for the challenges they experience following treatment. Living rurally may be one such factor. This study was undertaken to explore the major challenges, positive experiences and suggestions for improvement in survivorship care from rural-dwelling Canadian cancer survivors one to three years following treatment. A qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted on written responses to open-ended questions from a national cross-sectional survey. A total of 4646 individuals living in rural areas responded to the survey. Fifty percent (2327) were male, and 2296 (49.4%) were female; 69 respondents were 18 to 29 years (1.5%); 1638 (35.3%) were 30 to 64 years; and 2926 (63.0%) were 65 years or older. The most frequently identified major challenges (n = 5448) were reduced physical capacity and the effects of treatment. Positive experiences included family and friend support and positive self-care practices. The suggestions for improvements focused on the need for better communication and information about self-care, side effect management, and programs and services, with more programs available locally for practical and emotional support.

Predicting future cancer incidence by age, race, ethnicity, and sex

INTRODUCTION

Cancer remains a substantial burden on society. Our objective was to update projections on the number of new cancer diagnoses in the United States by age, race, ethnicity, and sex through 2040.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Population-based cancer incidence data were obtained using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Population estimates were made using the 2010 US Census data population projections to calculate future cancer incidence. Trends in age-adjusted incidence rates for 23 cancer types along with total cancers were calculated and incorporated into a second projection model.

RESULTS

If cancer incidence remains stable, annual cancer diagnoses are projected to increase by 29.5% from 1.86 million to 2.4 million between 2020 and 2040. This increase outpaces the projected US population growth of 12.3% over the same period. The population of older adults is projected to represent an increasing proportion of total cancer diagnoses with patients ≥65 years old comprising 69% of all new cancer diagnoses and patients ≥85 years old representing 13% of new diagnoses by 2040. Cancer diagnoses are projected to increase in racial minority groups, with a projected 44% increase in Black Americans (from 222,000 to 320,000 annually), and 86% in Hispanic Americans (from 175,000 to 326,000 annually).

DISCUSSION

The landscape of cancer care will continue to change over the next several decades. The burden of disease will remain substantial, and the growing proportion of older and minority patients with cancer remains of particular interest. These projections should help guide future health policy and research priorities.

Psychosocial well-being and supportive care needs of cancer patients and survivors living in rural or regional areas: a systematic review from 2010 to 2021

Purpose

To summarise what is currently known about the psychosocial morbidity, experiences, and needs of people with cancer and their informal caregivers, who live in rural or regional areas of developed countries.

Methods

Eligible studies dating from August 2010 until May 2021 were identified through several online databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and RURAL (Rural and Remote Health Database). Results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines and the protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020171764).

Results

Sixty-five studies were included in this review, including 20 qualitative studies, 41 quantitative studies, and 4 mixed methods studies. Qualitative research demonstrated that many unique psychosocial needs of rural people remain unmet, particularly relating to finances, travel, and accessing care. However, most (9/19) quantitative studies that compared rural and urban groups reported no significant differences in psychosocial needs, morbidity, or quality of life (QOL). Five quantitative studies reported poorer psychosocial outcomes (social and emotional functioning) in urban cancer survivors, while three highlighted poorer outcomes (physical functioning, role functioning, and self-reported mental health outcomes) in the rural group.

Conclusion

Recent research shows that rural people affected by cancer have unique unmet psychosocial needs relating to rurality. However, there was little evidence that rural cancer survivors report greater unmet needs than their urban counterparts. This contrasts to the findings from a 2011 systematic review that found rural survivors consistently reported worse psychosocial outcomes. More population-based research is needed to establish whether uniquely rural unmet needs are due to general or cancer-specific factors.

Physical, emotional, and practical concerns, help-seeking and unmet needs of rural and urban dwelling adult cancer survivors

PURPOSE

This study explores the influence of residency location on the experiences of cancer survivors. The influence of where individuals live during cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment has been described in various countries. However, understanding the context of residency on experiences during survivorship has received less attention.

METHODS

A survey was designed to assess experiences of cancer survivors transitioning to follow-up care. Descriptive statistics were used to contrast physical, emotional, and practical concerns, help-seeking, and unmet needs of rural and urban dwelling respondents. Difference in proportions of greater than 5% were considered clinically meaningful.

RESULTS

In total, 13,319 respondents completed the survey of which 4646 met the criteria for rural dwelling (e.g., living in villages or towns with 10,000 or less residents or on an acreage, ranch, or farm). Proportions of respondents in rural and urban groups were similar in terms of level of concerns. Differences were observed for help seeking regarding return to work and for difficulty in obtaining help regarding taking care of children and other family members, changes in relationships with family, friends and co-workers, and getting to and from appointments. Unmet needs existed across all domains and were similar in both groups. A larger proportion of rural dwelling respondents experienced unmet needs regarding return to work.

CONCLUSIONS

[implications]: High proportions of cancer survivors experienced concerns following cancer treatment. However, rural dwelling survivors were more challenged in obtaining help for selected concerns. Implications exist for development of community-based support services in rural settings.

Financial distress among cancer survivors in Appalachian Kentucky

BACKGROUND

Rural residence may exacerbate cancer-related financial distress. Limited research has focused on Appalachian cancer survivors' experience with financial distress.

AIMS

The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of financial distress among cancer survivors residing in Appalachian Kentucky with a specific focus on the impact of rurality and to elucidate the risk factors impacting financial distress among this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Appalachian Kentucky residents were sampled for receipt of a health survey based on county-level rurality. Analyses describe the prevalence and predictors of financial distress among cancer survivors. Subsequent analyses were conducted with Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data to compare local versus national estimates of financial distress. Almost two-thirds of Appalachian survivors reported financial distress compared to one-third of the HINTS sample. Appalachian survivors residing in the most rural counties reported higher distress; this finding was not supported in the national sample. In multivariable analyses, gender, current age, and household income were associated with financial distress among Appalachians; only income was significant among the national sample.

CONCLUSION

Appalachian cancer survivors have higher than national estimates of financial distress; rurality and socioeconomics are drivers of this disparity.

"Just Living With Them": Symptom Management Experiences of Rural Residents With Advanced Cancer

PURPOSE

To understand how rural residents with advanced cancer experience and manage their symptoms.

PARTICIPANTS & SETTING

16 adult patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer, who were receiving antineoplastic treatment and living in rural areas of southeastern Iowa, participated in the study.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

Data were collected through semistructured, audio-recorded interviews using open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using content and dimensional analyses.

FINDINGS

Four themes were developed from the completed interviews, including (a) barriers and challenges associated with rural cancer care, (b) physical symptoms experienced from the time of diagnosis through the cancer trajectory, (c) symptom management strategies used to control physical symptoms, and (d) perceptions of having cancer and the use of technology in managing symptoms.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Rural residents with advanced cancer experience a wide range of physical symptoms that may affect their quality of life. Although residents may develop self-management strategies to cope with symptoms, additional guidance on and interventions for how best to manage physical symptoms are needed.

Taking Refuge in Spirituality, a Main Strategy of Parents of Children with Cancer: a Qualitative Study

Background:

Due to the rise in prevalence of childhood cancer the impact on family caregivers is increasing. Spirituality may be an alleviating factor for improving the quality of parent life. There is a lack of organized spiritual care in health care facilities, so that this aspect needs more emphasis. Thus this study aimed to evaluate the spiritual strategy of parents of children with cancer.

Materials:

This qualitative study was conducted with a conventional content analysis approach. Fifteen parents of hospitalized children with cancer at the Oncology and Hematology departments of governmental pediatric hospitals nationwide were purposefully selected. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection and inductive content analysis.

Results:

Eleven sub-themes were extracted in the data analysis, which resulted in the generation of three themes: “spiritual strategy,” “spiritual escape” and “spiritual growth”.

Conclusion:

The spiritual approach of parents of children with cancer had a significant influence on spiritual care and consequently the acceptance of disease and coping with the associated conditions. Spiritual care clearly should be introduced into the health care system of Iran, particular for the parents of children with cancer.

Distress and Supportive Care Needs of Ethnically Diverse Older Adults With Advanced or Recurrent Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of supportive care needs (SCNs) and distress and to describe relationships among these and patient characteristics for ethnically diverse older adults with advanced or recurrent cancer.

SAMPLE & SETTING

Cross-sectional survey in five outpatient oncology clinics in an urban academic medical center involving 100 participants receiving cancer care in an economically challenged community.

METHODS & VARIABLES

The supportive care framework for cancer care guided this study, and participants completed the SCN Survey Short Form 34 and the Distress Thermometer. Study variables are cancer diagnosis, gender, helping to raise children, number of comorbid diseases, race or ethnicity, treatment status, and zip code.

RESULTS

Clinically meaningful distress was found in about a third of patients. Distress was not affected by race or ethnicity. Many ethnically diverse older patients with advanced or recurrent cancer report distress and SCNs; those with high distress are more likely to report multiple SCNs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nursing assessment of patient SCNs and distress is integral to establishing individualized patient-centered care plans and to delivering optimal care.

Rural Disparities in Treatment-Related Financial Hardship and Adherence to Surveillance Colonoscopy in Diverse Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Background: Cancer survivors increasingly report financial hardship as a consequence of the high cost of cancer care, yet the financial experience of rural cancer survivors remains largely unstudied. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential rural disparities in the likelihood of financial hardship and nonadherence to surveillance colonoscopy.Methods: Individuals diagnosed with localized or regional colorectal cancer between 2004 and 2012 were ascertained by the population-based New Mexico Tumor Registry. Participants completed a mailed questionnaire or telephone survey about their colorectal cancer survivorship experience, including treatment-related financial hardship and receipt of surveillance colonoscopy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: Compared with urban colorectal cancer survivors (n = 168), rural colorectal cancer survivors (n = 109) were slightly older; more likely to be married (65% vs. 59%) and have an annual income <$30,000 (37% vs. 27%); and less likely to be employed (35% vs. 41%), have a college degree (28% vs. 38%), or a high level of health literacy (39% vs. 51%). Rural survivors were twice as likely as urban survivors to report treatment-related financial hardship (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.06-3.28) and nonadherence to surveillance colonoscopy guidelines (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.07-4.85). In addition, financial hardship was independently associated with nonadherence to surveillance colonoscopy (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.01-4.85).Conclusions: Substantial rural disparities in the likelihood of financial hardship and nonadherence to surveillance colonoscopy exist.Impact: Treatment-related financial hardship among rural colorectal cancer survivors may negatively affect adherence to guideline-recommended follow-up care. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(11); 1275-82. ©2018 AACR.

LGBT healthcare disparities: What progress have we made?

Nearly fifteen years have passed since this author's publication which examined the depth of education and training for medical students and practicing physicians specific to clinical competence in the care of lesbian and gay patients in the United States. Since then, there has been an explosion of research gains which have shed a steady light on the needs and disparities of lesbian and gay healthcare. This rich literature base has expanded to include bisexual and transgender (LGBT) healthcare in peer-reviewed journals. Despite these research gains underscoring a call for action, there continues to be a dearth of cultural competency education and training for healthcare professionals focused on clinical assessment and treatment of LGBT patients. This article will focus exclusively on the current status of medical and nursing education and training specific to clinical competence for LGBT healthcare. We are long overdue in closing the clinical competency gap in medical and nursing education to reduce the healthcare disparities within the LGBT community.

Religious Coping and Types and Sources of Information Used in Making Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions

Treatment experiences for prostate cancer survivors can be challenging and dependent on many clinical and psychosocial factors. One area that is less understood is the information needs and sources men utilize. Among these is the influence of religion as a valid typology and the value it may have on treatment decisions. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between race, religion, and cancer treatment decisions in African American men compared with White men. Data were from the Diagnosis and Decisions in Prostate Cancer Treatment Outcomes Study that consisted of 877 African American and White men. The main dependent variables sought respondents' use of resources or advisors when making treatment decisions. Questions also assessed men perceptions of prostate cancer from the perspective of religious coping. After adjusting for age, marital status, education, and insurance status, race differences in the number of sources utilized were partially mediated by cancer was a punishment from God (β = -0.46, SE = 0.012, p < .001), cancer was a test of faith (β = -0.49, SE = 0.013, p < .001), and cancer can be cured with enough prayer (β = -0.47, SE = 0.013, p < .001). Similarly, race differences in the number of advisors utilized in making the treatment decision were partially mediated by cancer was a punishment from God (β = -0.39, SE = 0.014, p = .006), and cancer was a test of faith (β = -0.39, SE = 0.014, p = .006). Religious views on prostate cancer may play an important role in explaining race differences in information used and the number of advisors utilized for treatment decision making for prostate cancer.

A Model of Cancer Clinical Trial Decision-making Informed by African-American Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials are critical to advancing cancer treatment. Minority populations are underrepresented among trial participants, and there is limited understanding of their decision-making process and key determinants of decision outcomes regarding trial participation.

METHODS

To understand research decision-making among clinical trial-eligible African-American cancer patients at Johns Hopkins, we conducted seven focus groups (n=32) with trial-offered patients ≥ 18 years diagnosed with lung, breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer ≤ 5 years. Three "acceptor" and four "decliner" focus groups were conducted. Questions addressed: attitudes towards clinical trials, reasons for accepting or declining participation, and recommendations to improve minority recruitment and enrollment. Data were transcribed and analyzed using traditional approaches to content and thematic analysis in NVivo 9.0. Data coding resulted in themes that supported model construction.

RESULTS

Participant experiences revealed the following themes when describing the decision-making process: Information gathering, Intrapersonal perspectives, and Interpersonal influences. Decision outcomes included the presence or absence of decision regret and satisfaction. From these themes, we generated a Model of Cancer Clinical Trial Decision-making.

CONCLUSION

Our model should be tested in hypothesis-driven research to elucidate factors and processes influencing decision balance and outcomes of trial-related decision-making. The model should also be tested in other disparities populations and for diagnoses other than cancer.

Ethnocultural Gerontological Nursing

The aging population is growing increasingly more diverse, with one in four older adults from an ethnic minority group by 2050, while the nursing force will largely remain members of a single race White population. The purpose of this review is to appraise the state of nursing knowledge in relationship to meeting the needs of elders in unique racial/ethnic groups using two approaches: evaluating the efficacy of current knowledge and evaluating the state of nursing knowledge about ethnocultural gerontological nursing based on an integrative review of nursing literature. Thirty-four articles were reviewed. Most articles used qualitative methodology focused on a single ethnic group, with several articles focused on health promotion/prevention. Cultural perspectives were better addressed than aging concepts and few articles integrated ethnocultural and gerontological nursing concepts. This evaluation indicates many gaps in the knowledge base about ethnocultural gerontological nursing. Specific areas for future knowledge development are identified.

Mobilizing social support networks to improve cancer screening: the COACH randomized controlled trial study design

BACKGROUND

Disadvantaged populations face many barriers to cancer care, including limited support in navigating through the complexities of the healthcare system. Family members play an integral role in caring for patients and provide valuable care coordination; however, the effect of family navigators on adherence to cancer screening has not previously been evaluated. Training and evaluating trusted family members and other support persons may improve cancer outcomes for vulnerable patients.

METHODS

Guided by principles of community based participatory research (CBPR), "Evaluating Coaches of Older Adults for Cancer Care and Healthy Behaviors (COACH)" is a community-based randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a trained participant-designated coach (support person or care giver) in navigating cancer-screening for older African American adults, 50-74 years old. Participants are randomly assigned as dyads (participant+coach pair) to receiving either printed educational materials only (PEM--control group) or educational materials plus coach training (COACH--intervention group). We defined a coach as family member, friend, or other lay support person designated by the older adult. The coach training is designed as a one-time, 35- to 40-minute training consisting of: 1) a didactic session that covers the role of the coach, basic facts about colorectal, breast and cervical cancers (including risk factors, signs and symptoms and screening modalities), engaging the healthcare provider in cancer screening, insurance coverage for screening, and related healthcare issues, 2) three video skits addressing misconceptions about and planning for cancer screening, and 3) an interactive role-play session with the trainer to reinforce and practice strategies for encouraging the participant to get screened. The primary study outcome is the difference in the proportion of participants completing at least one of the recommended screenings (for breast, cervix or colorectal cancer) between the control and intervention groups.

DISCUSSION

Building on trusted patient contacts to encourage cancer screening, COACH is a highly sustainable intervention in a high-risk population. It has the potential to minimize the effect of mistrust of the medical establishment on screening behaviors by mobilizing participants' existing support networks. If effective, the intervention could have a high impact on health care disparities research across multiple diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01613430 ). Registered June 5, 2012.

Working Toward Normalcy Post-Treatment: A Qualitative Study of Older Adult Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To develop a better understanding of how older adult survivors of early-stage breast and prostate cancer managed the work of recovery.
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RESEARCH APPROACH

Multiple case study design embedded in a larger randomized, controlled trial of a nurse-led patient navigation intervention. 
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SETTING

Community-based research conducted via in-home visits and by phone with participants residing in non-metropolitan areas of a mid-Atlantic state.


PARTICIPANTS

Rural-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older with early-stage breast or prostate cancer and the people who support them (11 dyads).


METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

An approach to grounded theory analysis was used to evaluate the fit between existing theoretical knowledge and case findings and to generate new knowledge about the cancer recovery process.


FINDINGS

Working toward normalcy was a core process of cancer recovery prompted by participants' internal experiences and external interactions with their environments. This ongoing, iterative, and active process involved multiple concurrent strategies that were not necessarily medically oriented or cancer specific. Working toward normalcy resulted in movement along a continuum of self-appraisal anchored between participants experiencing life as completely disrupted by cancer to a life back to normal. A greater sense of normalcy was associated with higher engagement in valued activities and increased physical and psychological well-being.


CONCLUSIONS

In addition to the core process of working toward normalcy, multiple theories from nursing, sociology, psychology, and gerontology helped to explain case findings. This knowledge could serve as a foundation on which to design survivorship care that supports the goals of cancer survivors working toward normalcy post-treatment.

INTERPRETATION

Post-treatment wellness goals can include a desire to reestablish or maintain a sense of normalcy. Nursing actions that promote survivors' efforts to be perceived as capable, stay engaged in valued activities and roles, maintain a sense of control over their lives and bodies, and make plans for the future may help meet this goal. Existing theories about identity, dignity, inner strength, and the work of illness can inform nursing interventions. 


A synthesis of clinical recommendations and primary research for survivors of prostate or breast cancer

Studies have documented the efficacy of cancer treatments available, specifically for patients with prostate or breast cancer, but few articles have compared prostate or breast cancer recommendations from the patient's perspective. In this article, the authors compare and contrast published clinical recommendations for advanced practice RNs who treat patients with prostate or breast cancer to qualitative studies that explore the experiences of cancer survivors. Treatment options, along with recommendations and resources, are included. The nurse clinician's role in caring for patients with prostate or breast cancer is diverse and complex, and evidence supports the role of the nurse clinician in improving patient care. Implementing findings from qualitative studies that focus on patients' perspectives in conjunction with clinical recommendations is essential when developing care plans for patients with cancer.

Supportive care needs of cancer patients: A literature review

OBJECTIVE

This review of the research literature explored the supportive care needs of cancer patients of varying ages and genders at varying stages of cancer treatment.

METHOD

We conducted a search of online databases of peer-reviewed studies published in the English language between 2009 and 2014.

RESULTS

This paper reviews research studies that explored the supportive care needs of cancer patients through focus groups, surveys, and interviews. The samples addressed varied in age, ethnicity, and gender.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

One major need identified was the requirement of informational support. Other essential needs included emotional, spiritual, and financial support. Supportive care can be administered in various ways—for example, by religious communities or caregivers as well as providers. However, healthcare providers must recognize the supportive care needs of their patients and incorporate effective resources and interventions into treatment plans.