tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Cancer
. 2021 Oct 27.
doi: 10.1002/cncr.33987. Online ahead of print.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African American cancer survivors
Jennifer L Beebe-Dimmer[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Christine M Lusk[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Julie J Ruterbusch[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tara E Baird[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Stephanie S Pandolfi[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Angela S Wenzlaff[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Theresa A Hastert[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Felicity W K Harper[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hayley S Thompson[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Ann G Schwartz[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had profound effects on population health to date. African American cancer survivors are particularly vulnerable to developing severe consequences; therefore, understanding the impact of the virus on this patient population is critical.
Methods: The Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors cohort is a unique effort to understand the determinants of poor outcomes in African American cancer survivors. To date, more than 4500 cancer survivors and nearly 950 primary caregivers have been enrolled; participation includes a survey and the collection of biospecimens, medical records, and tumor tissue. Beginning in the spring of 2020, a supplemental survey focusing on the impact of COVID-19 was offered to enrolled participants. The analysis included 890 survivors.
Results: Nearly all survivors (>99%) reported changes in their daily activities in an effort to reduce the risk of infection. More than 40% of the survivors reported some disruption in their access to medical care. A substantial proportion of the survivors (>40%) reported feeling anxious, depressed, and/or isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 40% of the patients reported changes in health behaviors shown to negatively affect survivorship outcomes (physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol use) as a result of the pandemic.
Conclusions: The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on African American cancer survivors is substantial: it has affected both their physical and mental health. Coupled with changes in health behaviors, these factors will likely affect outcomes in this high-risk patient population, and this makes further study and interventions necessary to mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on cancer outcomes.
Keywords: African American; coronavirus; epidemiology; outcomes; quality of life.
. 2021 Oct 27.
doi: 10.1002/cncr.33987. Online ahead of print.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African American cancer survivors
Jennifer L Beebe-Dimmer[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Christine M Lusk[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Julie J Ruterbusch[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tara E Baird[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Stephanie S Pandolfi[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Angela S Wenzlaff[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Theresa A Hastert[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Felicity W K Harper[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hayley S Thompson[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Ann G Schwartz[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34706056
- DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33987
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had profound effects on population health to date. African American cancer survivors are particularly vulnerable to developing severe consequences; therefore, understanding the impact of the virus on this patient population is critical.
Methods: The Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors cohort is a unique effort to understand the determinants of poor outcomes in African American cancer survivors. To date, more than 4500 cancer survivors and nearly 950 primary caregivers have been enrolled; participation includes a survey and the collection of biospecimens, medical records, and tumor tissue. Beginning in the spring of 2020, a supplemental survey focusing on the impact of COVID-19 was offered to enrolled participants. The analysis included 890 survivors.
Results: Nearly all survivors (>99%) reported changes in their daily activities in an effort to reduce the risk of infection. More than 40% of the survivors reported some disruption in their access to medical care. A substantial proportion of the survivors (>40%) reported feeling anxious, depressed, and/or isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 40% of the patients reported changes in health behaviors shown to negatively affect survivorship outcomes (physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol use) as a result of the pandemic.
Conclusions: The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on African American cancer survivors is substantial: it has affected both their physical and mental health. Coupled with changes in health behaviors, these factors will likely affect outcomes in this high-risk patient population, and this makes further study and interventions necessary to mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on cancer outcomes.
Keywords: African American; coronavirus; epidemiology; outcomes; quality of life.