71.05 Social Support for Patients undergoing Colorectal Cancer Treatment: A Diverse Population-Based Study

Posted on January 18, 2016

M. R. Kapadia1, C. M. Veenstra3, R. E. Davis4, S. T. Hawley3, A. M. Morris2 1University Of Iowa,Surgery,Iowa City, IA, USA 2University Of Michigan,Surgery,Ann Arbor, MI, USA 3University Of Michigan,Medicine,Ann Arbor, MI, USA 4University Of South Carolina,Public Health,Columbia, SC, USA

Introduction:
Social support is associated with adherence to recommended treatment, quality of life, and survival. Colorectal cancer (CRC) often requires extensive treatment, but little is known of needs, sources, and availability of social support among CRC patients.

Methods:
We surveyed Stage III CRC patients from the Detroit and Georgia SEER registries regarding socio-demographics and emotional support desired and received from spouses/partners, families, important others, and providers. We examined differences using chi-square and t- tests.

Results:
Among 1351 eligible respondents (68% response rate), 68% were white and 25% were black. Patients were evenly distributed in age, sex, and income categories. Most endorsed high support from all sources, especially family (88.6%), followed by important others (82.9%), healthcare providers (71.3%), and spouses/partners (55.6%). Only 58% of patients had spouses/partners and among these, 95% endorsed high support. Older patients, black patients, women, or those with <$20,000 annual income were less likely to have spouses/partners (p<0.001). Blacks were significantly less likely than whites to report that the support they received was ‘just right’ (vs. too little or too much, p<0.001). Increasing age and income were significantly associated with increased likelihood that the support received was just right (p<0.006).

Conclusion:
Most patients undergoing CRC treatment reported high social support from all sources. However, black and lower income patients were at risk for low support or support that did not meet their needs. Spouse/partner support was important and met needs, but was only available to 58% of respondents. In future work, we will examine how social support affects long-term outcomes for CRC patients.