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Breast Cancer Survivorship Experiences of Urban Hispanic Women

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

Ludmila Santiago-Rotchford, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, PCCN, provided translation of focus group audiotapes

Marcia Welch RN, APRN, NMW, provided translation of focus group audiotapes

Carlos Hernandez, MPH, Focus group moderator

Edith Mitchell, MD, FACP, Co-investigator, development of focus group questions

Funding

An institutional grant was funded by the Kimmel Cancer Center Consortium.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Carolee Polek

  2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Thomas Hardie & Janet A. Deatrick

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  1. Carolee Polek
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  2. Thomas Hardie
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  3. Janet A. Deatrick
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Correspondence to Carolee Polek.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Polek, C., Hardie, T. & Deatrick, J.A. Breast Cancer Survivorship Experiences of Urban Hispanic Women. J Canc Educ 35, 923–929 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01543-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01543-0

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