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Master of Public Health

Examining COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors among Cancer Survivors in the United States: an analysis of the COVID-19 Impact Survey

AUTHORS

Islam JY , Camacho-Rivera M , Vidot DC , . Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. 2020 9 25; ().

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted adults with chronic diseases, and their health care delivery. Patterns of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors practiced by cancer survivors are unknown, including practices related to canceling doctor’s appointments. We evaluated COVID-19-related preventive behaviors among cancer survivors in the United States (US).

METHODS: We used nationally-representative data of 10,760 US adults from the COVID-19 Impact Survey. We defined cancer survivors as those with a self-reported diagnosis of cancer (n=854,7.6%). We present frequencies and χ2-tests to evaluate COVID-19-related preventive behaviors among cancer survivors. We estimated determinants of canceling doctor’s appointments among cancer survivors using Poisson regression models.

RESULTS: Cancer survivors were more likely to practice preventive behaviors, including social distancing (93%, χ2-p-value<0.001), wear a face mask (93%, χ2-p-value<0.001), and avoid crowded areas (84%, χ2-p-value<0.001) compared to other adults. Cancer survivors were more likely to cancel doctor’s appointments (41%, χ2-p-value<0.001) whereas they were less likely to cancel other social activities such as work(19%, χ2-p-value<0.001) and school-related(13%, χ2-p-value<0.001) activities. After adjustment for covariates, while non-Hispanic(NH)-Black cancer survivors were less likely to cancel a doctor’s appointment compared to NH-White cancer survivors, those aged 18-29, females, and with at least one comorbid condition cancer survivors were more likely.

CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors are adhering to recommended preventive behaviors. Cancer survivor’s continuity of care may be impacted by COVID-19 specifically young adults, females, and those with existing comorbid conditions.

IMPACT: Insights into cancer survivors whose care may be most impacted by COVID-19 will be valuable towards surveillance and survivorship of US cancer survivors.

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