Predictors of health-related quality of life among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors in New Jersey

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2021;39(5):595-612. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2020.1844844. Epub 2020 Nov 17.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Hispanic and non-Hispanic White (NHW) breast cancer (BC) survivors.

Design: Cross-sectional study using survey data.

Participants: Women diagnosed with BC at ages 21-79 years, between 2012-2014, recruited from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry.

Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) instrument. Descriptive statistics compared Hispanics and NHWs, and multivariate regression analyses identified predictors of HRQoL.

Results: HRQoL was significantly higher scores among NHW (85.7 ± 18.5) than Hispanics (79.4 ± 20.1) (p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses, comorbidities (β: -13.3, 95%CI: -20.6, -5.92), late-stage diagnosis (β: -5.67, 95%CI: -10.7, -0.62), lower income (β: -13.9, 95%CI: -19.8, -7.97) and younger age at diagnosis were associated with lower HRQoL.

Conclusion: Socio-demographic and clinic characteristics were significant predictors of HRQoL among diverse BC survivors.

Implications for psychosocial oncology: Supportive psychosocial care interventions tailored to the needs of young, low-income BC survivors with comorbidities are needed.

Keywords: breast; minorities; quality of life; quantitative; survivorship.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Cancer Survivors*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • New Jersey
  • Quality of Life
  • Survivors
  • Young Adult