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Background: Epidemiological studies of cancer survivors have predominantly focused on non-Hispanic White, elderly patients, despite the observation that African Americans have higher rates of mortality. Therefore, we characterized cancer survivorship in younger African American survivors using the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) study to assess health behaviors and quality of life., Methods: Five hundred and seventeen patients diagnosed with any cancer between the ages of 20-49 (mean age: 42 years; SD: 6.7 years) completed a survey to identify important clinical, behavioral, and sociodemographic characteristics, measures of health literacy, and experiences of discrimination. Quality of life outcomes were evaluated in patients using FACT-G, FACT-Cog, and PROMIS® Anxiety and Depression scales. Stepwise linear and logistic regression were used to assess the association between quality of life measures and participant characteristics., Results: The mean FACT-G score was 74.1 (SD: 21.3), while the FACT-Cog was 55.1 (SD: 17.1) (FACT-G range 0-108 with higher scores indicating better function; elderly cancer patient mean: 82.2; FACT-Cog 18-item range 0-72 points with higher scores indicating better perceived cognitive functioning; scores <54 indicating cognitive impairment). In addition, 27.1% and 21.6% of patients had a score indicative of moderate or severe anxiety and depression, respectively. Perceived discrimination and the number of discriminatory events were significantly associated with reductions in three of the four quality of life measures. Health literacy was positively associated with all four health measures, while total comorbidity count was negatively associated with three of the four measures., Conclusion: Younger adult African American cancer survivors who report experiencing discrimination and suffer from multiple comorbid conditions have poorer mental and overall health. Understanding the unique clinical and socioeconomic stressors that influence this patient population is essential for reducing health disparities and improving long-term survivorship., (© 2022 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

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., (© 2021 American Cancer Society.)

Background: Epidemiological studies of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have predominantly focused on non‐Hispanic White patients, despite the observation that African Americans are more likely to experience CIPN. To address this health disparities gap, we sought to identify non‐genetic risk factors and comorbidities associated with CIPN in African American cancer survivors using the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors study. Methods: Logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between presence of self‐reported CIPN and relevant clinical characteristics in 1045 chemotherapy‐treated African American cancer survivors. Linear regression was used to evaluate risk factors for CIPN and quality of life outcomes that reflect physical, social, emotional, and functional domains of health. Results: Patients with CIPN were more likely to report hypertension (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.98–1.67, p = 0.07), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.001–1.73, p = 0.05), history of depression (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.18–2.25, p = 0.003), and diabetes (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.98–1.82, p = 0.06) after adjustment for age at diagnosis, sex, and cancer site. BMI (OR = 1.02 kg/m2, 95% CI: 1.006–1.04 kg/m2, p = 0.008) was also positively associated with CIPN. In addition, CIPN status was significantly associated with quality of life (FACT‐G total: β = −8.60, 95% CI: −10.88, −6.32) p < 0.0001) and mood (PROMIS® Anxiety: β = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.92–5.45, p < 0.0001; PROMIS® Depression: β = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.53–3.84, p < 0.0001) after adjustment for age at diagnosis, sex, cancer site, and comorbidities. Neither alcohol consumption (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.68–1.14, p = 0.32) nor tobacco use (ever smoked: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80–1.35, p = 0.76; currently smoke: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.90–1.82, p = 0.18) was associated with increased CIPN risk. Conclusion: Risk factor profiles in African Americans are not entirely consistent with those previously reported for non‐Hispanic White patients. Neglecting to understand the correlates of common chemotherapy‐induced toxicities for this patient population may further contribute to the health disparities these individuals face in receiving adequate healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]