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Enhancing the utilization of healthy living interventions among cancer survivors in historically underserved populations and communities

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and wellness programming preferences of cancer survivors from Acres Homes, a historically Black neighborhood in Houston, Texas, with areas of persistent poverty. The goal of this study was to identify opportunities to increase cancer survivor utilization of healthy eating and active living interventions aligned to cancer center community outreach and engagement efforts.

Methods

This multiple methods study included a retrospective review of electronic health record data (n = 413) and qualitative interviews with cancer survivors (n = 31) immediately preceding initiation of healthy eating, active living programming in Acres Homes.

Results

This study found Acres Homes survivors have high rates of co-occurrent cardiometabolic disease including obesity (45.0%), diabetes (30.8%), and other related risk factors as well as treatment-related symptoms. Four major concepts emerged from interviews: (1) Factors that influence survivors’ ability to eat well and exercise, (2) Current usage of community resources, (3) Interest in relevant programming, and (4) Specific programming preferences. Opportunities for current and future health promotion programming for cancer survivors were explored.

Conclusion

Strategically tailoring community resources for cancer survivors can provide a more robust network of support to promote healthy eating and active living in this population. This work informed community implementation of evidence-based health interventions in Acres Homes and may support future projects aiming to enhance community-led cancer prevention efforts in historically underserved communities.

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Data availability

The data underlying this article will be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the administrative and research support of Miranda Baum, Mildred Hunter, and Ruth St Fleur.

Funding

This project has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI) under award number P30 CA016672, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service under Cooperative Agreement No. 58–3092-0–001. The contents of this work are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or USDA. Additional support for this project was provided by philanthropic contributions to the Cancer Prevention and Control Platform from the Pamela and Wayne Garrison Family Foundation and Lyda Hill Philanthropies. The project was also supported internally by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement Fund and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Margaret Raber & Karen Basen-Engquist

  2. Cancer Prevention and Control Platform, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Ruth Rechis, Katherine Oestman & Michael T. Walsh Jr.

  3. Population Health, Harris Health System, Bellaire, TX, USA

    Denise M. LaRue, Thy T. Ho-Pham, Esperanza Galvan & Jennifer Gonzalez

  4. Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Darya Kizub & Hilary Ma

  5. Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Hui Zhao, Xiudong Lei & Jingfan Hu

Authors
  1. Margaret Raber
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  2. Ruth Rechis
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  3. Denise M. LaRue
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Contributions

KBE, RR, MR, MTW conceptualized the need for and approach to this study. KBE and MR were responsible for the study’s conduct. RR, KO, and MTW were responsible for funding acquisition, resources supervision, and leadership of all aspects of participation by Be Well Communities. TH and DL supported participant recruitment. DL and JG supported EHR data extraction. HZ, XL, and JH conducted statistical analysis on the EHR data. DK, HM, RR, and KO assisted in the development of qualitative instruments and interpretation of qualitative analysis. HM and HG offered continuous input throughout the study design and implementation process. All authors supported the development of this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret Raber.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Harris Health System Quality Improvement Review Board.

Consent to participate

Participants in the interview study were read a consent statement prior to participation.

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Raber, M., Rechis, R., LaRue, D.M. et al. Enhancing the utilization of healthy living interventions among cancer survivors in historically underserved populations and communities. Cancer Causes Control 34, 635–645 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-023-01701-2

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