ASPO Abstracts
A Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Experiences and Practices by Cancer History
Category: Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Purpose: To examine how cancer survivors differ from those without a history of cancer with regards to COVID-19 experiences and practices. Methods: An online survey was distributed among residents residing within the Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center catchment area in Missouri and Illinois between June 2020 and August 2020. Respondents (58 cancer survivors and 706 without a history of cancer) answered questions about demographics, health history, and COVID-19 experiences and practices. The association between cancer history and COVID-19 experiences and practices was assessed using logistic regression. Results: Cancer survivors were less likely to participate in social distancing or masking practices (OR =0.31; 95% CI = 0.14-0.70) and less likely to increase physical activity or fruit and vegetable consumption during the pandemic (OR = 0.59; 95% CI =0.32-1.08). Cancer survivors were also less likely to report negative feelings (depression, anxiety, worry, or stress) about COVID-19 (OR= 0.57; 95% CI =0.33-0.97) and were less likely to report that they were unable to control the important things in their life during the pandemic (OR =0.40; 95% CI =0.17-0.95). Cancer survivors were also more likely to report that they felt confident about ability to handle their personal problems or felt that things were going their way during the pandemic (OR = 1.94; 95% =1.04-3.60). In general, adjustment for age, gender, and race resulted in findings that were similar in magnitude, but did not reach statistical significance. However, even after adjustment, cancer survivors were less likely to participate in social distancing or masking practices (adjusted OR =0.30; 95% CI = 0.12-0.74). Conclusion: Our results suggest that cancer survivors did not experience the pandemic in the same way as those without a history of cancer. We observed that while cancer survivors were more resilient to negative feelings and experiences during the pandemic, they were also less likely to change behaviors. Understanding the unique experiences of cancer survivors is an important factor to consider as public health communication and interventions as they are adapted to post-COVID regulations.
Keywords: cancer survivors, COVID-19