Social risk factors screening preferences among breast and prostate cancer survivors: A qualitative study

Authors

• Laura C. Schubel, National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
• Jessica Rivera Rivera, Implementation Science; Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
• Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman, The George Washington University Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
• Joseph Astorino, The George Washington University Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
• Teletia Taylor, Howard University College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
• Robin Littlejohn, National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
• Judith Lee Smith, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• Susan A. Sabatino, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• Arica White, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• Bryan O Buckley, MedStar Institute for Quality and Safety, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
• Christopher King, School of Health at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
• Jeanne Mandelblatt, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
• Christopher Gallagher, Department of Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA.
• Hannah Arem, Implementation Science; Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-13-2025

Journal

Journal of psychosocial oncology

DOI

10.1080/07347332.2025.2463389

Keywords

Hispanic; cancer survivorship; health‑related social needs; social risk screening

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This project aimed to understand the experiences and preferences for social risk factor screening among racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse cancer survivors in the Washington, DC, region. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with English, Spanish, and Amharic-speaking breast and prostate cancer survivors. Data were inductively coded to identify themes, and differences by race and preferred language were evaluated. FINDINGS: Twenty-two interviews in English (n = 14), Spanish (n = 7), and Amharic (n = 1) among participants who identified as Black (n = 8), White (n = 5), Asian (n = 1), Other (n = 6), and multiracial (n = 2) were completed. Participants reported unresolved needs during treatment including transportation, healthful food, mental health care, financial help, and employment assistance. COVID-19 exacerbated many needs. Most participants did not recall discussing needs with oncology teams, but all participants were open to having these conversations. CONCLUSION(S): This research reveals that cancer survivors might benefit from culturally appropriate strategies that address social needs.

APA Citation

Schubel, Laura C.; Rivera Rivera, Jessica; Pratt-Chapman, Mandi L.; Astorino, Joseph; Taylor, Teletia; Littlejohn, Robin; Smith, Judith Lee; Sabatino, Susan A.; White, Arica; O Buckley, Bryan; King, Christopher; Mandelblatt, Jeanne; Gallagher, Christopher; and Arem, Hannah, "Social risk factors screening preferences among breast and prostate cancer survivors: A qualitative study" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 6585.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/6585

Department

Clinical Research and Leadership