Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: This research examines treatment journey gaps, mental health, and social support among adults with cancer in a general population survey, in particular, those with breast, prostate, and skin cancers.
METHODS: Data from the 2024 US National health and Wellness Survey were analyzed. Breast cancer (BC) in females (N = 397), prostate cancer (PC) (N = 190), and skin cancer (SC) (N = 254) were identified based on self-reported use of cancer prescription medications at the time of the survey. Treatment journey gaps were assessed using a series of Likert scale questions on diagnostic and treatment experience, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Mental health was evaluated using the RAND-36 Mental Health Composite (MHC) and the PHQ-9 measures. Social support was measured by the total score from the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (mMOS-SS). Demographic and comorbidities were also examined. Respondents never been diagnosed with cancer were compared with in selective analyses.
RESULTS: Cancer respondents were 63 years old on average, most being White and married or living with a partner. BC patients were more likely to report recognizing symptoms for screening, side effects or disease progression, and diagnosis process than PC and SC patients. Understanding the importance of medication adherence was highest in the BC group (strongly agree/agree = 88%) and lowest in the SC group (strongly agree/agree = 76%). Respondents had similar MHC (43 to 45) and PHQ-9 (5 to 10) scores. However, SC patients reported more diagnoses of anxiety (32%) and depression (33%) than those without cancer (both 21%; p<0.001). The mMOS-SS score was higher (better) in cancer patients than those without cancer (BC=66.59 vs. 62.83; PC=72.38 vs. 59.15; SC: 69.02 vs. 61.10; all p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: While mental and social support were similar across cancer groups, PC and SC patients faced greater treatment journey gaps than BC patients.