Support Care Cancer. 2026 Jul 3;34(7):728. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10946-x.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine if receipt of survivorship care plans (SCPs) modifies the association between health outcomes of female cancer survivors and sociodemographic characteristics.
METHODS: Using cross-sectional 2011-2023 data from the Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, we conducted survey-weighted multivariable regression models to estimate the association between race, body mass index (BMI), education and income with self-reported general health status and poor physical and mental health days, stratified by SCP receipt, approximated as self-reporting receipt of cancer follow-up care instructions (FCI), treatment summaries (TS), or both. Individuals on active treatment and < 1 year from their cancer diagnosis were excluded.
RESULTS: The study included 2,854 (non-Hispanic White (NHW; 82.8%) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB; 17.2%) female cancer survivors residing in Maryland. Half were > 10 years from their cancer diagnosis and the mean age was 64 years. Without FCI, NHB vs. NHW women reported more poor physical and mental health days (adjusted rate ratio (aRR): 1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74-2.16) and aRR: 1.72 (95% CI: 1.14-2.61), respectively). With FCI, NHB vs. NHW women reported fewer poor physical and mental health days (aRR: 0.56 (95% CI; 0.39-0.80) and aRR: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.30-0.73); p-interaction: 0.009 and < 0.001, respectively). Similar patterns were observed for TS and FCI + TS and with education and income.
CONCLUSIONS: Receipt of FCI and TS differentially modified associations between sociodemographic characteristics with self-reported physical and mental health for female cancer survivors in Maryland. Delivery of FCI and TS may improve the health status of minoritized female cancer survivors.
PMID:42397582 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-026-10946-x
