Dyadic Interventions for LGBTQ+ Individuals Facing Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Dyadic interventions are uniquely positioned not only to improve psychosocial outcomes for those with cancer, but also to improve caregiver and relationship outcomes. Although dyadic interventions have demonstrated efficacy in reducing distress and improving quality of life among individuals with cancer and caregivers in the general population, their applicability to minoritized populations, such as LGBTQ + individuals, remains understudied. Adapting dyadic interventions may be particularly important for LGBTQ+ cancer survivors and their caregivers given that they face higher rates of psychological distress than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.

Impact of Drug Shortages on Cancer Care Delivery Within the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program.

Purpose: Drug shortages represent a challenge in oncology care, with potential repercussions including suboptimal treatment options, treatment delays, and medication errors. However, there is scant evidence on how drug shortages interrupt cancer care delivery (CCD) nationally and specifically across National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) community oncology practices.

Methods: Between December 2020 and July 2024, 96 NCORP community oncology practices were enrolled.

Patient Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Information Practices in Oncology.

Importance: Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are rarely collected in clinical practice despite national calls to do so.

Objective: To explore what facilitators are associated with collection of SOGI data in oncology practice.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this qualitative study with purposive sampling for greatest heterogeneity, semistructured interviews across 23 institutions were conducted in oncology practices in diverse geopolitical regions in the US from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023.

The Effect of Yoga on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Survivors from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds tend to experience cancer-related fatigue (CRF) at higher rates than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), often leading to a decline in quality of life (QOL). It is crucial to consider the impact their marginalized identities have on cancer outcomes. Although yoga has shown promise as a supportive intervention for CRF and QOL, existing research has largely centered on NHW populations.

Use of cultural appropriateness strategies and behavioral frameworks in behavioral interventions for black and hispanic cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Background: Black and Hispanic cancer survivors experience significant inequities in supportive cancer care. Incorporating cultural appropriateness strategies and behavioral frameworks into supportive care interventions can improve cancer outcomes of Black and Hispanic survivors. This review evaluated behavioral oncology trials for Black and Hispanic cancer survivors to assess their use of cultural appropriateness strategies and behavioral frameworks.

Approaches to optimally target frailty screening among people with HIV in clinical care: findings from the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS).

Background: Frailty screening in HIV care has been recommended, however, screening adds burden to busy clinics. We compared criteria that predict concurrent frailty to identify approaches to optimally target frailty screening.

Methods: The development cohort included people with HIV (PWH) at six U.

Screening and Referral for Health-Related Social Needs and Financial Distress: Current Processes Among National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program Practices.

Purpose: Health-related social needs (HRSNs) are associated with adverse cancer health outcomes. We assessed the processes for screening and responding to both HRSNs and financial distress and described the methods used across National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) practices.

Methods: The NCORP 2022 Landscape Assessment survey focused on services to screen for and respond to HRSNs and financial distress within a national network of community oncology practices.

Difference-Makers for Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Oncology Settings.

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to identify key difference-making conditions that distinguish oncology institutions that collect sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data across a sample of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) members.

Methods: From October to November 2020, an anonymous 54-item web-based survey was distributed to ASCO members. Coincidence analysis was used to identify difference-making conditions for the collection of SOGI data.

Disparities in the cancer continuum experienced by transgender and gender-diverse patients: A rapid review.

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) populations experience health disparities across all areas of health care due to issues of bias, discrimination, and structural barriers to care. Existing literature on cancer screening in TGD populations demonstrates significant gaps in care; for example, transgender men receive Pap smears at lower rates than cisgender women. Because of known disparities in cancer screening, and gaps in our understanding in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, the authors conducted a rapid review of the literature to examine cancer care continuum (screening, treatment, and survivorship) disparities among TGD persons.

Recruitment of informal caregivers into community oncology research studies: results from the 2022 Landscape Assessment.

Understanding the experiences of community oncology practices in recruiting informal (unpaid/family) caregivers into research studies can inform strategies to improve caregiver enrollment. We used data from the 2022 National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Landscape Assessment to describe the experience of recruiting informal caregivers for research studies in community oncology practices. Among 258 practice groups, only one-third (30%, 78/258) reported prior experience recruiting informal caregivers for research studies.

Knowledge and beliefs about lung cancer screening among Black individuals at high risk: a qualitative approach.

Background: Despite its efficacy in reducing lung cancer (LC)-specific mortality by 20%, screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in eligible groups remains low (5-16%). Black individuals are more commonly affected by LC than other racial/ethnic groups in the United States (U.S.

Associations of quality of social support and accurate beliefs about curability among older adults with advanced cancer.

Introduction: Supporting older adults with advanced cancer to better understand their disease and its prognosis is important for shared decision-making. Social support is a potentially modifiable factor that may influence disease understanding. In this study, we examined the associations of quantity and quality of social support with patients' beliefs about the curability of their advanced cancer.

A Way Forward for Comprehensive Cancer Caregiver Support.

Family caregivers are integral to patient care. However, a combination of systemic forces places enormous pressure on family caregivers, while simultaneously devaluing them. Recently, more public attention has been paid to caregivers' importance, prevalence, and needs, generating supportive responses by government, employers, and the media.

Under-Representation and Under-Reporting of Minoritized Racial and Ethnic Groups in Clinical Trials on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Purpose: Minoritized racial/ethnic groups are historically under-represented in cancer clinical trials, which may be exacerbated in recent trials on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We examined the representation and reporting of the racial/ethnic composition of participants in clinical trials on ICIs.

Methods: We examined English full-text trials on ICIs published from 2007 to 2022.

Development and Initial Pilot Evaluation of a Psychoeducational Intervention for Individuals at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives: To develop and determine the acceptability of a group-based digital health psychoeducational intervention aimed at reducing cancer worry based on acceptance and commitment therapy for individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer.

Sample & Setting: 13 individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer with a genetic variant or family history.

Methods & Variables: Three groups met virtually for one hour each week for four weeks.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection in Cancer Care: A Nationwide Landscape Assessment Update.

Purpose: Routine collection of sexual orientation (SO) and gender identity (GI; collectively SOGI) in cancer clinics advances cancer care equity.

Methods: In 2022, NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) practice groups were asked about routine collection of SOGI data in the electronic health record. The proportions of practice groups reporting collection of SO and/or GI data were calculated, and practice group characteristics were assessed for associations.

A Needs Assessment Approach for Adolescent and Young Adult Sexual and Gender Diverse Cancer Survivors.

Sexual and gender diverse (SGD) adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are an increasing and vulnerable group with unique needs that often remain unmet in the healthcare system. This paper describes the conceptualization and development of a community-based organization dedicated to serving SGD AYAs, in addition to reporting on the results of a community-led needs assessment. A total of 56 SGD AYA community members completed the online survey.

Revisiting the lung cancer screening eligibility criteria to promote equity for Black individuals.

Background: Early detection using low-dose computed tomography reduces lung-cancer-specific mortality by 20% among high-risk individuals. Blacks are less likely than Whites to meet lung cancer screening (LCS) criteria under both the former and the updated United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. The purpose of this study was to assess racial disparities in LCS eligibility and to propose tailored eligibility criteria for Blacks to enable equitable screening rate between Whites and Blacks.

High-dose vitamin D to attenuate bone loss in patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: A phase 2 RCT.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) inhibits prostate cancer growth. However, ADT causes loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and an increase in fracture risk; effective interventions for ADT-induced bone loss are limited.

Methods: A phase 2 randomized controlled trial investigated the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of high-dose weekly vitamin D (HDVD, 50,000 IU/week) versus placebo for 24 weeks in patients with prostate cancer receiving ADT, with all subjects receiving 600 IU/day vitamin D and 1000 mg/day calcium.

Satisfaction with care, general health, and mental health among sexual and gender minority cancer survivors: Results of the OUT National Cancer Survey.

Background: Few studies have attempted to characterize the cancer care experiences and outcomes of sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients with cancer, despite indications that this population experiences disparities across the cancer continuum. The current study used descriptive and exploratory methods to assess factors related to SGM cancer patients' satisfaction with cancer care and self-reported physical and mental health.

Methods: The authors designed a cross-sectional self-report online survey and recruited 3750 SGM cancer patient participants (mixed cancers; 85.

State of Cancer Care in America: Achieving Cancer Health Equity Among Sexual and Gender Minority Communities.

In 2017, ASCO issued the position statement, Strategies for Reducing Cancer Health Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations, outlining five areas of recommendations to address the needs of both sexual and gender minority (SGM, eg, LGBTQ+) populations affected by cancer and members of the oncology workforce who identify as SGM: (1) patient education and support; (2) workforce development and diversity; (3) quality improvement strategies; (4) policy solutions; and (5) research strategies. In 2019, ASCO convened the SGM Task Force to help actualize the recommendations of the 2017 position statement. The percentage of the US population who publicly identify as SGM has increased dramatically over the past few years.

Information Technology and Telemedicine Services in Community Oncology Practices.

Purpose: We described information technology support and use of telemedicine for cancer care and research purposes at community oncology practices within the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP).

Methods: We used data from the NCORP 2017 and 2022 Landscape Assessments. Separate logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with the use of telemedicine for delivery of cancer care in 2017 and for research purposes in 2022 (cancer care delivery not assessed in 2022).

Understanding Factors Associated with Uptake of Lung Cancer Screening among Individuals at High Risk.

Early detection using low-dose computed tomography scanning reduces lung cancer-specific mortality by 20% among high-risk individuals. Despite its efficacy, the uptake of lung cancer screening (LCS) remains low. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the uptake of LCS in high-risk individuals.

Tobacco Smoking and Pack-Years Are Associated With Frailty Among People With HIV.

Background: Tobacco smoking increases frailty risk among the general population and is common among people with HIV (PWH) who experience higher rates of frailty at younger ages than the general population.

Methods: We identified 8608 PWH across 6 Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems sites who completed ≥2 patient-reported outcome assessments, including a frailty phenotype measuring unintentional weight loss, poor mobility, fatigue, and inactivity, and scored 0-4. Smoking was measured as baseline pack-years and time-updated never, former, or current use with cigarettes/day.