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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 15 of 15 Research Studies DisplayedJackson Levin N, Zhang A, Reyes-Gastelum D
Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
This survey assessed change in worry over time in Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. A total of 273 Hispanic women with thyroid cancer diagnosed in 2014-2015 were recruited from SEER Los Angeles. Participants were surveyed at two points in time: time 1 from 2017 to 2018 and time 2 in 2019 on recurrence, quality of life, family at risk, death, and harm from treatments. Women were surveyed on their amount of worry: high worry (somewhat, quite a bit, very much) or low worry (not at all, a little). The survey showed 20.1-39.6% had high worry at both time 1 and time 2. An additional 7.6-13.4% had low worry at time 1 that evolved into high worry at time 2. Women with younger age (20-39) compared to older (40-79) had higher worry about thyroid cancer recurrence. A history of recurrent or persistent disease was associated with high worry about harms from treatment. Greater number of complications or side effect symptoms was associated with worry across all five items.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Jackson Levin N, Zhang A, Reyes-Gastelum D .
Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
J Cancer Surviv 2022 Aug;16(4):844-52. doi: 10.1007/s11764-021-01078-8..
Keywords: Cancer, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Quality of Life, Anxiety
Roberson ML, Nichols HB, Olshan AF
Trends in surgical treatment of early-stage breast cancer reveal decreasing mastectomy use between 2003 and 2016 by age, race, and rurality.
The authors sought to examine trends in the surgical treatment of breast cancer by age, rurality, and among Black women in a populous, racially diverse, state in the Southeastern United States of America. Using data from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, they found declining mastectomy rates in the early 2000s in a Southern US state with a racially and geographically diverse population. These decreasing trends were consistent among key subgroups affected by cancer inequities, including Black and White rural women.
AHRQ-funded; HS027299.
Citation: Roberson ML, Nichols HB, Olshan AF .
Trends in surgical treatment of early-stage breast cancer reveal decreasing mastectomy use between 2003 and 2016 by age, race, and rurality.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022 Jun;193(2):445-54. doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06564-w..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Surgery, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Rural Health
Fernandez JR, Richmond J, Nápoles AM
Everyday discrimination and cancer metaphor preferences: the mediating effects of needs for personal significance and cognitive closure.
This study examined the relationship between discrimination and preferences for cancer battle metaphors versus journey metaphors. Four-hundred twenty-seven cancer patients completed an online survey. Question items included on every day discrimination, need for personal significance, need for cognitive closure, and preference for cancer scenarios using battle or journey metaphors. Discrimination was associated with battle metaphor preferences through serial mediation when discrimination was not associated to race. When discrimination was associated with race, it was directly associated with journey metaphor preferences and the serial medication was nonsignificant. The single mediation model was strongest for non-Hispanic White participants and varied across racial/ethnic groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Fernandez JR, Richmond J, Nápoles AM .
Everyday discrimination and cancer metaphor preferences: the mediating effects of needs for personal significance and cognitive closure.
SSM Popul Health 2022 Mar;17:100991. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100991..
Keywords: Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Cunningham-Erves J, Campbell L, Barlow C
Reducing HPV associated cancers and disparities: engaging African American men to develop a culturally-appropriate program that addresses their needs.
Reducing HPV associated cancers and disparities: engaging African American men to develop a culturally-appropriate program that addresses their needs.
Am J Health Educ 2021;52(4):194-206. doi: 10.1080/19325037.2021.1930614.
This paper discusses the results of the Healthy Men, Healthy Communities program that aims to improve preventive behaviors among African American men to reduce HPV-related cancer disparities. An educational intervention was developed using cultural-targeting strategies such as linguistics, peripherals, evidence, socio-culture, and constituent-involving. Research team members were recruited from community-based (CBO) leaders. Three focus groups, 30 surveys, and a community review and program evaluation with African American men were conducted. The five focus group themes were: 1) The Known and Unknown of Cancer, HPV, and the vaccine; (2) Personal experiences with cancer were commonplace; (3) Barriers to Engaging HPV Cancer Preventive Behaviors; (4) Multi-Modal Strategies are needed to improve preventive behaviors; and (5) Actual versus Preferred Sources of Information. Survey data showed men desired information on penile (52%) and oral cancer (48%). A speaker summit on various topics was the preferred education format (96%). A post-summit evaluation indicated most males intended to get screened (73%), eat healthier (77%), and exercise more (65%). After these interventions the HPV vaccine was administered to about 40% of the men, and their children and grandchildren.
Am J Health Educ 2021;52(4):194-206. doi: 10.1080/19325037.2021.1930614.
This paper discusses the results of the Healthy Men, Healthy Communities program that aims to improve preventive behaviors among African American men to reduce HPV-related cancer disparities. An educational intervention was developed using cultural-targeting strategies such as linguistics, peripherals, evidence, socio-culture, and constituent-involving. Research team members were recruited from community-based (CBO) leaders. Three focus groups, 30 surveys, and a community review and program evaluation with African American men were conducted. The five focus group themes were: 1) The Known and Unknown of Cancer, HPV, and the vaccine; (2) Personal experiences with cancer were commonplace; (3) Barriers to Engaging HPV Cancer Preventive Behaviors; (4) Multi-Modal Strategies are needed to improve preventive behaviors; and (5) Actual versus Preferred Sources of Information. Survey data showed men desired information on penile (52%) and oral cancer (48%). A speaker summit on various topics was the preferred education format (96%). A post-summit evaluation indicated most males intended to get screened (73%), eat healthier (77%), and exercise more (65%). After these interventions the HPV vaccine was administered to about 40% of the men, and their children and grandchildren.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Cunningham-Erves J, Campbell L, Barlow C .
Reducing HPV associated cancers and disparities: engaging African American men to develop a culturally-appropriate program that addresses their needs.
Am J Health Educ 2021;52(4):194-206. doi: 10.1080/19325037.2021.1930614..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Men's Health, Prevention, Health Promotion, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Hawley ST
Unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
The authors sought to determine the relationship between acculturation level and unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. They assessed acculturation with the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. They found that low-acculturated (vs high-acculturated) Hispanic women with thyroid cancer have greater unmet information needs, emphasizing the importance of patient-focused approaches to providing medical information.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Hawley ST .
Unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021 Jun 16;106(7):e2680-e87. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab128..
Keywords: Cancer, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Cultural Competence
Lee K, Gani F, Canner JK
Racial disparities in utilization of palliative care among patients admitted with advanced solid organ malignancies.
The primary objective of this study was to describe racial differences in the use of inpatient palliative care consultations (IPCC) for patients with advanced cancer who are admitted to a hospital in the United States. Hospital admissions of patients with advanced cancers were identified through the National Inpatient Dataset. Findings showed that death during hospitalization was a significant modifier of the relationship between race and receipt of palliative care consultation. There were significant racial disparities in the utilization of IPCC for patients with advanced cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Lee K, Gani F, Canner JK .
Racial disparities in utilization of palliative care among patients admitted with advanced solid organ malignancies.
Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021 Jun;38(6):539-46. doi: 10.1177/1049909120922779..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Palliative Care, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare Utilization, Inpatient Care, Chronic Conditions
Danan ER, White KM, Wilt TJ
Reactions to recommendations and evidence about prostate cancer screening among White and Black male veterans.
This study looked at differences in attitudes about recommendations and evidence on prostate cancer screening among White and Black male veterans. The authors provided a draft educational pamphlet about the benefits and harms of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening to 44 men, ages 55-81 at a midwestern VA medical center in 2013 and 2015. The groups were divided into four White and two Black focus groups. Three universal themes were low baseline familiarity with prostate cancer, surprise and resistance to the guidelines not to test routinely, and negative emotions in response to ambiguity. Discussions in the White groups highlighted the potential benefits of screening, minimized the harms, and emphasized personal choice in screening decisions. Discussions in Black groups devoted almost no time to benefits, considered harms significant, and emphasized personal and collective responsibility for cancer prevention through diet, exercise, and alternative medicine. Discussion in Black groups also emphasized the history of racism and discrimination in healthcare and medical research.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Danan ER, White KM, Wilt TJ .
Reactions to recommendations and evidence about prostate cancer screening among White and Black male veterans.
Am J Mens Health 2021 May-Jun;15(3):15579883211022110. doi: 10.1177/15579883211022110..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Promotion, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
This study looked at access to digital breast tomography (DBT) versus regular mammography and whether women of minority race/ethnicity and lower socioeconomic status experienced lower DBT access during the early adoption period and persistently lower DBT use over time. This cross-sectional study included 92 geographically diverse imaging facilities across 5 US states, with over 2.3 million screening examinations performed among women aged 40 to 89 years from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from June 2019, to August 2020. Women who used DBT increased for all women from 3.3% in 2011 to 82.6% in 2017. In 2012, Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and women with less than a high school education had lower DBT access compared to White women attending the same facility and also college graduates. Lower DBT access continued over time regardless of the number of years after facility-level DBT adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T .
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Feb;4(2):e2037546. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37546..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Access to Care, Women, Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
The purpose of this study was to determine the changes associated with the revised USPSTF guideline for lung cancer screening eligibility among female, Black, and Hispanic populations using a large nationwide survey. The investigators concluded that the revised USPSTF guideline may likely increase lung cancer screening rates for female, Black, and Hispanic populations. However, despite these potential improvements, lung cancer screening inequities may persist without tailored eligibility criteria.
AHRQ-funded; HS026198.
Citation: Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN .
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jan;4(1):e2033769. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.33769..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Crawford J, Beaton D, Almad F
AHRQ Author: Bierman AS
Cross-cultural survey development: the colon cancer screening behaviors survey for South Asian populations.
The objective of this work was to develop a survey that considered cultural relevance and diversity of South Asian populations, with the aim of describing or predicting factors that influence colorectal cancer screening intention and adherence. The initial development of the Colon Cancer Screening Behaviours Survey for South Asian populations was completed using a number of steps. This initial survey was later cross-culturally translated and adapted into the Urdu language.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Crawford J, Beaton D, Almad F .
Cross-cultural survey development: the colon cancer screening behaviors survey for South Asian populations.
BMC Res Notes 2017 Dec 28;10(1):770. doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-3098-3.
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Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Adams AS, Madden JM, Zhang F
Effects of transitioning to Medicare Part D on access to drugs for medical conditions among dual enrollees with cancer.
This study evaluated the impact of transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare Part D drug coverage on the use of noncancer treatments among dual enrollees with cancer. Its findings suggest that the removal of drug caps under Part D had a modest impact on the treatment of hypercholesterolemia overall and may have reduced white-black gaps in the use of lipid-lowering and antidepressant therapies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018577.
Citation: Adams AS, Madden JM, Zhang F .
Effects of transitioning to Medicare Part D on access to drugs for medical conditions among dual enrollees with cancer.
Value Health 2017 Dec;20(10):1345-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.05.023.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer, Medicare, Medication, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA
Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization.
The researchers sought to estimate the extent of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer (IBC) within a single, large health care organization. Contrary to expectation, in patient-adjusted models, there was no IBC racial disparity. The sorting of patients by race across facilities appears to have mitigated an otherwise anticipated disparity in IBC.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA .
Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization.
Ann Epidemiol 2017 Oct;27(10):654-58. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.09.002.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Screening, Screening, Imaging
Cobran EK, Wutoh AK, Lee E
Perceptions of prostate cancer fatalism and screening behavior between United States-born and Caribbean-born Black males.
The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of prostate cancer (CaP) fatalism and predictors of CaP screening with Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing between U.S.-born and Caribbean-born African-American males. In their study of 211 U.S.-born and Caribbean-born Black males between ages 39–75, the researchers found that nativity was not a significant predictor of CaP screening with PSA testing within the last year.
AHRQ-funded; HS011673.
Citation: Cobran EK, Wutoh AK, Lee E .
Perceptions of prostate cancer fatalism and screening behavior between United States-born and Caribbean-born Black males.
J Immigr Minor Health 2014 Jun;16(3):394-400. doi: 10.1007/s10903-013-9825-5..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cancer
Yaghjyan L, Wolin K, Chang SH
Racial disparities in healthy behaviors and cancer screening among breast cancer survivors and women without cancer: National Health Interview Survey 2005.
This study aimed to compare healthy behaviors and cancer screening practices among breast cancer survivors and respondents without cancer separately in Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic women. It found that most differences were suggestive and do not differ by race.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Yaghjyan L, Wolin K, Chang SH .
Racial disparities in healthy behaviors and cancer screening among breast cancer survivors and women without cancer: National Health Interview Survey 2005.
Cancer Causes Control. 2014 May;25(5):605-14. doi: 10.1007/s10552-014-0365-7..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Disparities, Screening
Halbert CH, Briggs V, Bowman M
Acceptance of a community-based navigator program for cancer control among urban African Americans.
The researchers evaluated acceptance of a community-based navigator program for cancer control and identified factors having significant independent associations with navigation acceptance in an urban sample of African Americans. They found that age and perceived risk of developing cancer had a significant independent association with navigation acceptance. Participants who believed that they were at high risk for developing cancer had a lower likelihood of completing navigation.
AHRQ-funded; HS019339.
Citation: Halbert CH, Briggs V, Bowman M .
Acceptance of a community-based navigator program for cancer control among urban African Americans.
Health Educ Res 2014 Feb;29(1):97-108. doi: 10.1093/her/cyt098..
Keywords: Cancer, Care Coordination, Care Management, Community-Based Practice, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Urban Health