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Objectives: To examine if racial differences in cardiovascular health (CVH) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) disparities among women with breast and gynecologic cancers., Sample & Setting: The sample consisted of 252 Black women and 93 White women without a self-reported history of cancer or CVD who developed a breast or gynecologic malignancy. Women who developed CVD before their cancer diagnosis were excluded., Methods & Variables: CVH was classified using metrics of the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 framework. Metrics were summed to create a total CVH score (0-7). Associations among race, ideal CVH (score of 5-7), and CVD incidence following cancer diagnosis were estimated with Cox proportional hazards models., Results: Ideal CVH was similar between Black women (33%) and White women (37%). Race and CVH were not associated with CVD incidence., Implications for Nursing: In a small sample of women diagnosed with breast and gynecologic cancers, racial disparities in CVH and CVD incidence were not observed. Additional investigation of potential confounders relating to social determinants of health tied to the construct of race is warranted.

Objectives: To examine associations of sociodemographic factors and social limitations with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from pre- to postdiagnosis in older female cancer survivors., Sample & Setting: 9,807 women aged 65 years or older with breast or gynecologic cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey., Methods & Variables: Physical and mental HRQOL were assessed using the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models for repeated measures were used., Results: Social limitations were the only significant factor associated with changes in MCS scores. Race and ethnicity, rurality, and social interference were associated with significant decreases in PCS scores., Implications for Nursing: Nurses can assess mental and physical HRQOL after diagnosis and advocate for appropriate referrals. Oncology care should be tailored to cultural considerations, including race and ethnicity, rurality, and social support.

Problem Identification: Significant cancer disparities exist between Black and White patients. One important contributor to patient outcomes disparities is patient-clinician communication. Conversations between clinicians and Black patients are often shorter and less detailed compared to White patients., Literature Search: A systematic literature search was conducted. Databases were searched to identify studies that included (a) participants with a cancer diagnosis, (b) information specific to Black or African American participants, and (c) information on patient-clinician communication. A total of 67 articles underwent full review; 24 studies met inclusion criteria., Data Evaluation: Each included study was scored for level of evidence, and common themes were identified across studies using the Matrix Method., Synthesis: The following themes were identified: relationship building, building trust, empowering patients for shared decision-making, addressing topics of patient concern, and consideration of community and family., Implications for Research: Results identify several ways that nurses can improve communication with Black patients. Research aimed at identifying interpersonal strategies to mitigate cancer disparities is needed.

Problem Identification: The survivorship care plan (SCP) is an individualized document with cancer diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and health promotion recommendations. This integrative review synthesizes the extant literature to understand preferences and utilization of SCPs among Asian American survivors., Literature Search: The CINAHL®, Embase®, PsycINFO®, and PubMed® databases were searched for articles about Asian American women with breast or cervical cancer and SCPs., Data Evaluation: Two independent reviewers evaluated 481 titles and abstracts according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of those 481 titles and abstracts, 14 articles were selected for inclusion., Synthesis: There was little evidence surrounding utilization of SCPs. Articles identified addressed only survivors of breast cancer, predominately of Southeast Asian descent. Asian American women with breast cancer reported preferences surrounding their survivorship needs. Barriers to delivery of the SCP were related to socioeconomic factors., Implications for Research: There is a paucity of information guiding evidence-based delivery of SCPs in the vastly heterogenous population of Asian American survivors. More work is needed to provide high-quality care to these survivors.