Examining experiences of African American patients with breast cancer in a multidisciplinary survivorship clinic

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 41; no. 16_suppl; p. e18621
• Main Authors: Uelk, Madeleine, Chervinko, Nazzara, Louthen, Cathy Grace, Patel, Arpan, Robinson, Patricia A., Fujiu, Kathleen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2023
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.e18621

e18621 Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. More effective therapies have led to improved survival rates, yet, the survival benefit is not shared across all patient (pt) populations, with worse breast cancer outcomes among African American (AA) pts. The American College of Surgeons has mandated that accredited sites have a cancer survivorship program. At the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center (CBCC), there remain disparities in access and utilization of the survivorship clinic, especially by AA BC survivors. Of the 385 new BC analytic cases CBCC treated between March 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, 72 of these were AA pts. Unfortunately, less than 10% of AA BC pts who received curative intent therapy attended the CBCC Survivorship Clinic. As part of the "Bringing Quality Care Training to Komen’s African American Health Equity Initiative" in collaboration with ASCO, CBCC remodeled its survivorship program into a multidisciplinary clinic staffed by medical oncology, oncologic psychology, genetic counselor, nutritionist and social worker in order to provide comprehensive care to pts following diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The CBCC team performed the following: construction of a process map outlining the current pathway for referring pts to the survivorship clinic; creation of a fishbone cause and effect diagram highlighting factors contributing to poor utilization of the clinic; implementation of faculty surveys to assess reasons for lack of referral to survivorship clinic; development of pt experience surveys; and identification of countermeasures. Tumor registry identified BC pts by stage, race, and ethnicity. Results: Review of the CBCC BC registry showed a low attrition rate among 72 AA pts, with only 1.4% (n = 1) of AA pts diagnosed at CBCC treated elsewhere. AA pts made up a disproportionate number of stage IV diagnoses comprising 40% (n = 8). Surveys demonstrated the following reasons for poor utilization of the survivorship clinic by faculty in order of descending importance: providers felt they were providing survivorship care to their pts; pts declined referral due to appointment fatigue; lack of understanding to make referral; no outcomes data to support survivorship clinics; pt misunderstanding the purpose; fear of losing the pt; pt financial burden. Pt surveys (n = 20) showed high pt satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 for overall care. Conclusions: Lack of utilization of the cancer survivorship clinic among AA BC pts leads to inefficient application of resources, decreased survivorship care, reduced pt experience, and diminished opportunity for survivorship education and increased health literacy. Paths for the future include increased faculty and pt education, faculty engagement, designated scheduler for survivorship clinic, and increased promotional and marketing work.