Impact of care disruption during Covid-19 on the Mental and Physical Well-being of cancer survivors: a nationally representative survey-based study

Abstract Purpose Our study explores the care disruption in cancer care among the different demographic subgroups. It also investigates the impact of care disruption on cancer survivors’ mental and physical well-being. Methods This study utilized the HINTS-SEER data (Health Information Trends Survey for Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results). Missing data was addressed using the K-nearest-neighbor algorithm. Descriptive statistics were conducted to understand the care disruption perceptions. Partial least squares structural equation models were employed for data analysis. Results Most of the cancer survivors thought that Covid-19 impacted their cancer treatment or cancer follow-up medical appointments (69.45%), their routine cancer screening or preventative care (60.70%), and their cancer treatment plans (73.58%). Only 28.03% of them thought the pandemic changed their interactions with their healthcare providers (HCPs). Elderly patients were more likely to report visits and appointment disruption. The interactions with HCPs showed significant correlations with the demographics. People who thought their contact with their doctors changed during Covid-19 are more likely to be older adults, white, or with higher income. Mental and physical well-being were negatively impacted by the changes in cancer treatment and visits but not by changes in the interactions with HCPs. Conclusions & implications for cancer survivors These findings underscore the importance of maintaining regular care for cancer survivors. They also emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in access to cancer treatment and follow-up care among the different demographic groups. Maintaining communication between survivors and HCPs may have played an important role in mitigating care disruption.