Abstract 3292: Prevalence and socio-behavioral determinants of psychological distress among cancer patients and survivors in the United States, 2010-2015

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cancer patients face many unique physical and mental health challenges that directly affect their cancer outcome and quality of life. As cancer treatment improves, the prevalence of long-term cancer survivors increases. However, the psychological well-being of cancer survivors has been largely understudied, which may lead to missed opportunities to improve cancer survivorship. Methods: Using 2010-2015 National Health Interview Surveys (N=194,757), we examined the prevalence of psychological distress among 17,657 adult cancer patients and survivors and identified the socio-demographic and behavioral correlates in the United States. Differentials in serious psychological distress (SPD, defined by a 6-item scale) and factor-based psychological distress scores (a composite index with a mean of 100 to measure levels of psychological distress) were analyzed by multivariate linear and logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of SPD among cancer patients was 4.7% (95% CI: 4.2, 5.1), compared with 3.3% (95% CI: 3.1, 3.4) for the general population without a cancer history or diagnosis. The SPD prevalence was significantly higher among patients diagnosed with stomach, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers than the non-cancer population (age-adjusted odds ratio: 3.2, 3.1, 2.9, 2.7, respectively). Patients diagnosed with lung, colorectal, and thyroid cancer also reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress. SPD prevalence and distress index scores were substantially higher among American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic (NH) Black cancer patients, compared with NH whites with cancer. Prevalence and levels of psychological distress were significantly greater among cancer patients with low education and income levels, non-professional occupations, unmarried status, functional limitation, and among smokers and physically inactive patients. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of addressing the psychological well-being of cancer patients and survivors, particularly among the high-risk groups, in order to achieve the best treatment outcome and quality of life among the increasing number of cancer survivors. Citation Format: Gopal K. Singh, Lihua Liu, Audrey L. Chai, Alexander Ung, Michelle Allender. Prevalence and socio-behavioral determinants of psychological distress among cancer patients and survivors in the United States, 2010-2015 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3292.