Race/ethnic associations with comprehensive cancer center access and clinical trial enrollment for acute leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trial participation at Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) is inequitable for minoritized race/ethnic groups with acute leukemia. CCCs care for a high proportion of adults with acute leukemia. It is unclear if participation inequities are due to CCC access, post-access enrollment, or both. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with acute leukemia (2010-2019) residing within Massachusetts, the designated catchment area of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC). Individuals were categorized as non-Hispanic Asian (NHA), Black (NHB), White (NHW), Hispanic White (HW), or Other. Decomposition analyses assessed covariate contributions to disparities in (1) access to DF/HCC care and (2) post-access enrollment. RESULTS: Of 3698 individuals with acute leukemia, 85.9% were NHW, 4.5% HW, 4.3% NHB, 3.7% NHA, and 1.3% Other. Access was lower for HW (age- and sex-adjusted OR 0.64 95%CI 0.45,0.90) and reduced post-access enrollment for HW (aOR 0.54 95%CI 0.34,0.86) and NHB (aOR 0.60 95%CI 0.39,0.92) compared to NHW. Payor and socioeconomic status (SES) accounted for 25.2% and 21.2% of the +1.1% absolute difference in HW access. Marital status and SES accounted for 8.0% and 7.0% of the -8.8% absolute disparity in HW enrollment; 76.4% of the disparity was unexplained. SES and marital status accounted for 8.2% and 7.1% of the -9.1% absolute disparity in NHB enrollment; 73.0% of the disparity was unexplained. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of race/ethnic inequities in acute leukemia trial enrollment at CCCs are from post-access enrollment, the majority of which was not explained by sociodemographic factors.

Association Between Neighborhood Opportunity, Allostatic Load, and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: Adverse neighborhood contextual factors may affect breast cancer outcomes through environmental, psychosocial, and biological pathways. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between allostatic load (AL), neighborhood opportunity, and all-cause mortality among patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Women age 18 years and older with newly diagnosed stage I-III breast cancer who received surgical treatment between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2020, at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center were identified. Neighborhood opportunity was operationalized using the 2014-2018 Ohio Opportunity Index (OOI), a composite measure derived from neighborhood level transportation, education, employment, health, housing, crime, and environment. Logistic and Cox regression models tested associations between the OOI, AL, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The study cohort included 4,089 patients. Residence in neighborhoods with low OOI was associated with high AL (adjusted odds ratio, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.40]). On adjusted analysis, low OOI was associated with greater risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.45 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.89]). Relative to the highest (99th percentile) level of opportunity, risk of all-cause mortality steeply increased up to the 70th percentile, at which point the rate of increase plateaued. There was no interaction between the composite OOI and AL on all-cause mortality (P = .12). However, there was a higher mortality risk among patients with high AL residing in lower-opportunity environments (aHR, 1.96), but not in higher-opportunity environments (aHR, 1.02; P interaction = .02). CONCLUSION: Lower neighborhood opportunity was associated with higher AL and greater risk of all-cause mortality among patients with breast cancer. Additionally, environmental factors and AL interacted to influence all-cause mortality. Future studies should focus on interventions at the neighborhood and individual level to address socioeconomically based disparities in breast cancer.

Current cannabis use and pain management among US cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: National studies reporting the prevalence of cannabis use have focused on individuals with a history of cancer without distinction by their treatment status, which can impact symptom burden. While pain is a primary motivation to use cannabis in cancer, the magnitude of its association with cannabis use remains understudied. METHODS: We examined cannabis use and pain management among 5523 respondents of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System with a cancer history. Survey-weighted prevalence proportions of respondents' cannabis use are reported, stratified on cancer treatment status. Regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cancer-related pain and cannabis use. RESULTS: Cannabis use was slightly more prevalent in those undergoing active treatment relative to those who were not undergoing active treatment (9.3% vs. 6.2%; P=0.05). Those under active treatment were more likely to use cannabis medicinally (71.6% vs. 50.0%; P=0.03). Relative to those without cancer-related pain, persons with pain under medical control (OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.4-3.2) or uncontrolled pain were twice as likely to use cannabis (OR 2.0, 95% CI, 1.1-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Use of cannabis among cancer patients may be related to their treatment and is positively associated with cancer-related pain. Future research should investigate the associations of cannabis use, symptom burden, and treatment regimens across the treatment spectrum to facilitate interventions.

The Implications of Racialized Economic Segregation and Allostatic Load on Mortality in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the association between racialized economic segregation, allostatic load (AL), and all-cause mortality in patients with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women aged 18+ years with stage I-III breast cancer diagnosed between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2020 were identified in the Ohio State University cancer registry. Racialized economic segregation was measured at the census tract level using the index of concentration at the extremes (ICE). AL was calculated with biomarkers from the cardiac, metabolic, immune, and renal systems. High AL was defined as AL greater than the median. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses using restricted cubic splines examined the association between racialized economic segregation, AL, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Among 4296 patients, patients residing in neighborhoods with the highest racialized economic segregation (Q1 versus Q4) were more likely to be Black (25% versus 2.1%, p < 0.001) and have triple-negative breast cancer (18.2% versus 11.6%, p < 0.001). High versus low racialized economic segregation was associated with high AL [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-1.61] and worse all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.83]. In dose-response analyses, patients in lower segregated neighborhoods (relative to the 95th percentile) had lower odds of high AL, whereas patients in more segregated neighborhoods had a non-linear increase in the odds of high AL. DISCUSSION: Racialized economic segregation is associated with high AL and a greater risk of all-cause mortality in patients with breast cancer. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the causal pathways and mechanisms linking AL, neighborhood factors, and patient outcomes.

Associations of Cancer Patients' Demographic and Clinical Characteristics With Cannabis-Related Interest and Behaviors.

Background: Cannabis interest and use is increasing in the United States, yet research on its use among cancer patients is limited. Methods: Individuals with cancer completed an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regressions estimated odds ratios (OR) between patients' demographic and clinical characteristics with cannabis-related interest, current use, and provider recommendation. Results: Participants (n = 943) were, on average, 61.7 years old. Older patients were less likely to use cannabis products (OR = 0.42, confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.26-0.69) and less likely to be interested in cannabis (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.84) than younger patients. Those with higher education were less likely to be using cannabis (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.67) and less likely to have received a provider recommendation of cannabis use than the least educated (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19-0.76). Cancer spread and type were significant correlates of provider recommendation of cannabis use. Conclusions: Additional research is warranted to better understand cancer patients' motivations for cannabis use and interest.

Change in Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Adherence to the Cancer Prevention Lifestyle Guidelines in Hispanic/Latino Adults: Results from the HCHS/SOL Study.

Neighborhood conditions are dynamic; the association of changing neighborhood socioeconomic factors with cancer preventive behaviors remains unclear. We examined associations of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, gentrification, and change in income inequality with adherence to the American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention in The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). The HCHS/SOL enrolled 16,415 adults, ages 18­74 years, at baseline (2008­2011), from communities in the Bronx, NY, Chicago, IL, Miami, FL, and San Diego, CA. Geocoded baseline addresses were linked to the 2000 decennial Census and 5-year American Community Survey (2005­2009 and 2012­2016) tracts to operationalize neighborhood deprivation index (NDI), gentrification, and income inequality. Complex survey multinominal logistic regression models estimated the relative risk ratio (RRR) with overall guideline adherence level (low, moderate, high) and by components­diet, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol intake. Overall, 14%, 60%, and 26% of the population had low, moderate, and high ACS guideline adherence, respectively. NDI was negatively associated with risk of high (vs. low) guideline adherence [RRR = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78­0.98], although attenuated after controlling for individual socioeconomic status (SES; RRR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80­1.00), and associated with lower adherence to BMI recommendations (low vs. moderate RRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.84­0.97; high RRR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77­0.97). Gentrification was associated with higher likelihood of meeting the dietary recommendations (low vs. moderate RRR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01­1.07), but not with overall adherence or individual components. Change in income inequality was not associated with outcomes. Neighborhood deprivation may be negatively associated with ACS guideline adherence among Hispanic/Latino adults. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides new evidence on the link between neighborhood gentrification, changing income inequality and adoption and maintenance of cancer preventive behaviors in an understudied population in cancer research. We observed that while neighborhood deprivation may deter from healthy lifestyle behaviors, positive changes in neighborhood SES via the process of gentrification, may not influence lifestyle guideline adherence among Hispanic/Latino adults.

Measuring changes in neighborhood disorder using Google Street View longitudinal imagery: a feasibility study.

Few studies have used longitudinal imagery of Google Street View (GSV) despite its potential for measuring changes in urban streetscapes characteristics relevant to health, such as neighborhood disorder. Neighborhood disorder has been previously associated with health outcomes. We conducted a feasibility study exploring image availability over time in the Philadelphia metropolitan region and describing changes in neighborhood disorder in this region between 2009, 2014, and 2019. Our team audited Street View images from 192 street segments in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region. On each segment, we measured the number of images available through time, and for locations where imagery from more than one time point was available, we collected 8 neighborhood disorder indicators at 3 different times (up to 2009, up to 2014, and up to 2019). More than 70% of streets segments had at least one image. Neighborhood disorder increased between 2009 and 2019. Future studies should study the determinants of change of neighborhood disorder using longitudinal GSV imagery.

Association of census-tract level gentrification and income inequality with 6-year incidence of metabolic syndrome in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an epidemiologic cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome varies by socio-demographic characteristics, with younger (18-29 years) and older (50-69 years) Hispanic/Latino having higher prevalence compared to other groups. While there is substantial research on neighborhood influences on cardiometabolic health, there are mixed findings regarding the effects of gentrification and few studies have included Hispanic/Latinos. The role of neighborhood income inequality on metabolic health remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Examined associations of neighborhood gentrification and income inequality with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The HCHS/SOL is a community-based cohort of adults of Hispanic/Latinos (aged 18-74). Analyses included 6710 adults who did not meet criteria for MetsS at baseline (2008-2011) and completed the visit 2 examination (2014-2017). Poisson regressions estimated odds ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for neighborhood gentrification and change in income inequality with MetSyn incidence. MAIN OUTCOME AND EXPOSURE MEASURES: Gentrification was measured with an index that included changes (2000 to 2006-2010) in education, poverty, and income. Change in neighborhood income inequality (2005-2009 to 2012-2016) was measured using the Gini coefficient of income distribution. MetSyn was defined using National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: Among 6647 Hispanic/Latino adults, 23% (N = 1530) had incident MetSyn. In models adjusted for socio-demographic, health insurance status, and neighborhood characteristics, gentrification (IRR, 1.00, 95%CI, 0.96-1.03) and income inequality change (IRR, 1.00, 95%CI, 0.99-1.00) were not associated with MetSyn at visit 2. There was no association between cross-sectional income inequality (2005-2009) and MetSyn at visit 2 (IRR, 0.97, 95%CI, 0.82-1.15). CONCLUSION: Neighborhood gentrification and income inequality change were not associated with incidence of MetSyn over 6 years among Hispanic/Latino adults. This study demonstrated that income-based residential changes alone may not be sufficient to explain neighborhood influences on health outcomes among this population.

Marijuana and Cannabidiol Use Prevalence and Symptom Management Among Patients with Cancer.

Symptoms such as pain, nausea, and anxiety are common in individuals with cancer. Treatment of these issues is often challenging. Cannabis products may be helpful in reducing the severity of these symptoms. While some studies include data on the prevalence of cannabis use among patients with cancer, detailed data remain limited, and none have reported the prevalence of cannabidiol (CBD) use in this population. Adult patients with cancer attending eight clinics at a large, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center completed a detailed, cannabis-focused questionnaire between 2021 and 2022. Eligible participants were diagnosed with invasive cancer and treated in the past 12 months. Summary statistics were calculated to describe the sample regarding cannabis use. Approximately 15% (n = 142) of consented patients (n = 934) reported current cannabis use (defined as use within the past 12 months). Among which, 75% reported cannabis use in the past week. Among current cannabis users, 39% (n = 56; 6% overall) used CBD products. Current users reported using cannabis a median of 4.5 (interquartile range: 0.6­7.0) days/week, 2.0 (1.0­3.0) times per use/day, and for 3 years (0.8­30.0). Use patterns varied by route of administration. Patients reported moderate to high relief of symptoms with cannabis use. This study is the most detailed to date in terms of cannabis measurement and provides information about the current state of cannabis use in active cancer. Future studies should include complete assessments of cannabis product use, multiple recruitment sites, and diverse patient populations. SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians should be aware that patients are using cannabis products and perceive symptom relief with its use.

The impact of socioeconomic status on changes in cancer prevention behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The impacts of socioeconomic status (SES) on COVID-19-related changes in cancer prevention behavior have not been thoroughly investigated. We conducted a cohort study to examine the effects of SES on changes in cancer prevention behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We invited adult participants from previous studies conducted at Ohio State University to participate in a study assessing the impact of COVID-19 on various behaviors. Post-COVID-19 cancer prevention behaviors, including physical activity, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and qualitative changes in post-COVID-19 behaviors relative to pre-COVID levels, were used to construct a prevention behavior change index that captures the adherence status and COVID-related changes in each behavior, with higher index scores indicating desirable changes in prevention behaviors. Participants were classified into low, middle, or high SES based on household income, education, and employment status. Adjusted regression models were used to examine the effects of SES on changes in cancer prevention behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The study included 6,136 eligible participants. The average age was 57 years, 67% were women, 89% were non-Hispanic Whites, and 33% lived in non-metro counties. Relative to participants with high SES, those with low SES had a 24% [adjusted relative ratio, aRR = 0.76 (95%CI 0.72-0.80)], 11% [aRR = 0.89 (95%CI 0.86-0.92)], and 5% [aRR = 0.95 (95%CI 0.93-0.96)], lower desirable changes in prevention behaviors for physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, and tobacco use, respectively. Low SES had a higher desirable change in alcohol consumption prevention behaviors, 16% [aRR = 1.16 (95%CI 1.13-1.19)] relative to high SES. The adjusted odds of an overall poor change in prevention behavior were adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.55 (95%CI 1.27 to 1.89) and aOR 1.40 (95%CI 1.19 to 1.66), respectively, higher for those with low and middle SES relative to those with high SES. CONCLUSION: The adverse impacts of COVID-19 on cancer prevention behaviors were seen most in those with lower SES. Public health efforts are currently needed to promote cancer prevention behaviors, especially amongst lower SES adults.

Associations between observed neighborhood physical disorder and health behaviors, New Jersey behavioral risk factor Surveillance System 2011-2016.

This study tested associations between observed neighborhood physical disorder and tobacco use, alcohol binging, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among a large population-based sample from an urban area of the United States. Individual-level data of this cross-sectional study were from adult respondents of the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011-2016 (n = 62,476). Zip code tabulation area-level observed neighborhood physical disorder were from virtual audits of 23,276 locations. Tobacco use (current cigarette smoking or chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus use), monthly binge drinking occasions (5+/4+ drinks per occasion among males/females), and monthly sugar-sweetened beverages consumed were self-reported. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to generate odds ratios, prevalence rate ratios (PRR), 95 % confidence intervals (CI) by levels of physical disorder. Compared to the lowest quartile, residence in the second (PRR: 1.16; 95 % CI: 1.03, 1.13), third (PRR: 1.24; 95 % CI: 1.10, 1.40), and fourth (highest) quartile of physical disorder (PRR: 1.24; 95 % CI: 1.10, 1.40) was associated with higher monthly sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Associations involving tobacco use and alcohol binging were mixed. Observed neighborhood disorder might be associated with unhealthy behaviors, especially sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

Association of neighborhood segregation with 6-year incidence of metabolic syndrome in the Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos.

PURPOSE: Examine the association between neighborhood segregation and 6-year incident metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. METHODS: Prospective cohort of adults residing in Miami, Chicago, the Bronx, and San Diego. The analytic sample included 6,710 participants who did not have MetSyn at baseline. The evenness and exposure dimensions of neighborhood segregation, based on the Gini and Isolation indices, respectively, were categorized into quintiles (Q). Racialized economic concentration was measured with the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (continuously and Q). RESULTS: Exposure, but not evenness, was associated with higher disease odds (Q1 (lower segregation) vs. Q4, OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.082.17; Q5, OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.493.52). Economic concentrationprivilege (continuous OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.770.98), racial concentrationracialized privilege (Q1 (greater concentration) vs. Q2 OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.541.04; Q3 OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.441.05; Q4 OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.451.01; Q5 OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.420.98)(continuous OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.821.04), and racialized economic concentrationprivilege (i.e., higher SES non-Hispanic White, continuous OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.760.98) were associated with lower disease odds. CONCLUSION: Hispanics/Latino adults residing in neighborhoods with high segregation had higher risk of incident MetSyn compared to those residing in neighborhoods with low segregation. Research is needed to identify the mechanisms that link segregation to poor metabolic health.

Extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and palliative care disparities: a national cancer database study.

OBJECTIVES: Literature on disparities in palliative care receipt among extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in palliative care receipt among ES-SCLC patients. METHODS: Patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with ES-SCLC between 2004 and 2015 in the National Cancer DataBase (NCDB) were eligible. Two palliative care variables were created: (1) no receipt of any palliative care and (2) no receipt of pain management-palliative care. The latter variable indicated pain management receipt among those who received any palliative care. Log binomial regression models were constructed to calculate risk ratios by covariates. Unadjusted and mutually adjusted models were created for both variables. RESULTS: Among 83 175 patients, the risk of no palliative care receipt was higher among Blacks compared with Whites in unadjusted and adjusted models (both model HRs 1.02; 95% CIs 1.00 to 1.03, p<0.05). Patients older than 59 years were at a higher risk of not receiving palliative care than younger patients (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03 for 59-66, HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05 for 66-74, HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.08 for >74). Among 19 931 patients, the risk of no pain management-palliative care was higher among black patients on unadjusted analysis (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03, p<0.05). Patients between 66 and 74 years were at a higher risk of not receiving pain management-palliative care than patients younger than 59 years (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant disparities exist in palliative care receipt among ES-SCLC patients.

Association Between Residence in Historically Redlined Districts Indicative of Structural Racism and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breast Cancer Outcomes.

Importance: Historical structural racism may be associated with racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in breast cancer outcomes, but few studies have investigated these potential relationships. Objective: To test associations among historical mortgage lending discrimination (using 1930s Home Owners' Loan Corporation [HOLC] redlining data), race and ethnicity, tumor clinicopathologic features, and survival among women recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used a population-based, state cancer registry to analyze breast tumor clinicopathology and breast cancer-specific death among women diagnosed from 2008 to 2017 and followed up through 2019. Participants included all primary, histologically confirmed, invasive breast cancer cases diagnosed among women aged at least 20 years and who resided in a HOLC-graded area of New Jersey. Those missing race and ethnicity data (n = 61) were excluded. Data were analyzed between June and December 2021. Exposures: HOLC risk grades of A ("best"), B ("still desirable"), C ("definitely declining"), and D ("hazardous" [ie, redlined area]). Main Outcomes and Measures: Late stage at diagnosis, high tumor grade, triple-negative subtype (lacking estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression), breast cancer-specific death. Results: Among a total of 14 964 women with breast cancer, 2689 were Latina, 3506 were non-Latina Black, 7686 were non-Latina White, and 1083 were other races and ethnicities (non-Latina Asian/Pacific Islander/Native American/Alaska Native/Hawaiian or not otherwise specified); there were 1755 breast cancer-specific deaths. Median follow-up time was 5.3 years (95% CI, 5.2-5.3 years) and estimated 5-year breast cancer-specific survival was 88.0% (95% CI, 87.4%-88.6%). Estimated associations between HOLC grade and each breast cancer outcome varied by race and ethnicity; compared with residence in HOLC redlined areas, residence in HOLC areas graded "best" was associated with lower odds of late-stage diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.34 [95% CI, 0.22-0.53]), lower odds of high tumor grade (OR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.57-0.91]), lower odds of triple-negative subtype (OR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.47-0.95]), and lower hazard of breast cancer-specific death (hazard ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.35-0.65]), but only among non-Latina White women. There was no evidence supporting associations among non-Latina Black or Latina women. Conclusions and Relevance: Compared with redlined areas, current residence in non-redlined areas was associated with more favorable breast cancer outcomes, but only among non-Latina White women. Future studies should examine additional factors to inform how historical structural racism could be associated with beneficial cancer outcomes among privileged racial and ethnic groups.

Structural Racism and Cancer: Calls to Action for Cancer Researchers to Address Racial/Ethnic Cancer Inequity in the United States.

As leaders with the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) Cancer Health Disparities Special Interest Group, we describe the role of structural racism in perpetuating cancer health inequity historically, and potential implications of COVID-19 in exacerbating the effects of structural racism on patients with cancer seeking screening, diagnostic care, treatment, and survivorship support. As a strategy to reduce cancer inequities in the United States, we provide the following calls to action for cancer researchers to help alleviate the burden of structural racism: (i) identify and name structural racism while describing its operation within all aspects of scientific research; (ii) comprehensively integrate discussions on structural racism into teaching, mentoring, and service activities; and (iii) understand and support community actions to address structural racism.

Validating a spatio-temporal model of observed neighborhood physical disorder.

This study tested spatio-temporal model prediction accuracy and concurrent validity of observed neighborhood physical disorder collected from virtual audits of Google Street View streetscapes. We predicted physical disorder from spatio-temporal regression Kriging models based on measures at three dates per each of 256 streestscapes (n = 768 data points) across an urban area. We assessed model internal validity through cross validation and external validity through Pearson correlations with respondent-reported perceptions of physical disorder from a breast cancer survivor cohort. We compared validity among full models (both large- and small-scale spatio-temporal trends) versus large-scale only. Full models yielded lower prediction error compared to large-scale only models. Physical disorder predictions were lagged at uniform distances and dates away from the respondent-reported perceptions of physical disorder. Correlations between perceived and observed physical disorder predicted from the full model were higher compared to that of the large-scale only model, but only at locations and times closest to the respondent's exact residential address and questionnaire date. A spatio-temporal Kriging model of observed physical disorder is valid.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults: disparities in treatment intervention based on access to treatment facility.

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with poor outcomes. We evaluated differences by facility type in the parameters of 6766 adult ALL patients ≥ 40 years of age diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 in the National Cancer DataBase (NCDB) and survival outcomes using two-sample t-tests or chi-square tests and Cox proportional hazards models. Those treated in academic facilities were younger (mean 58.5 versus 61.7 years, p < 0.001), Black (8.1% versus 5.6%, p < 0.001), had private insurance (50.9% versus 44.0%, p < 0.001), and more likely to receive chemotherapy (93.2% versus 81.4%, p < 0.001), any radiotherapy (14.9% versus 7.3%, p < 0.001), stem cell transplant (9.4% versus 2.5%, p < 0.001), or total body irradiation (TBI) (11.3% versus 4.3%, p < 0.001). Patients treated at an academic facility had a higher hazard of death (p<.05) while those that received any chemotherapy or TBI or CNS radiation had a lower risk of death (all p < 0.05). These parameters should be evaluated in future studies.

Associations between neighborhood disinvestment and breast cancer outcomes within a populous state registry.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BrCa) outcomes vary by social environmental factors, but the role of built-environment factors is understudied. The authors investigated associations between environmental physical disorder-indicators of residential disrepair and disinvestment-and BrCa tumor prognostic factors (stage at diagnosis, tumor grade, triple-negative [negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 receptor] BrCa) and survival within a large state cancer registry linkage. METHODS: Data on sociodemographic, tumor, and vital status were derived from adult women who had invasive BrCa diagnosed from 2008 to 2017 ascertained from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry. Physical disorder was assessed through virtual neighborhood audits of 23,276 locations across New Jersey, and a personalized measure for the residential address of each woman with BrCa was estimated using universal kriging. Continuous covariates were z scored (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 0 ± 1) to reduce collinearity. Logistic regression models of tumor factors and accelerated failure time models of survival time to BrCa-specific death were built to investigate associations with physical disorder adjusted for covariates (with follow-up through 2019). RESULTS: There were 3637 BrCa-specific deaths among 40,963 women with a median follow-up of 5.3 years. In adjusted models, a 1-SD increase in physical disorder was associated with higher odds of late-stage BrCa (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.15). Physical disorder was not associated with tumor grade or triple-negative tumors. A 1-SD increase in physical disorder was associated with a 10.5% shorter survival time (95% confidence interval, 6.1%-14.6%) only among women who had early stage BrCa. CONCLUSIONS: Physical disorder is associated with worse tumor prognostic factors and survival among women who have BrCa diagnosed at an early stage.

Pathways between objective and perceived neighborhood factors among Black breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Mounting evidence supports associations between objective neighborhood disorder, perceived neighborhood disorder, and health, yet alternative explanations involving socioeconomic and neighborhood social cohesion have been understudied. We tested pathways between objective and perceived neighborhood disorder, perceived neighborhood social cohesion, and socioeconomic factors within a longitudinal cohort. METHODS: Demographic and socioeconomic information before diagnosis was obtained at interviews conducted approximately 10 months post-diagnosis from participants in the Women's Circle of Health Follow-up Study - a cohort of breast cancer survivors self-identifying as African American or Black women (n = 310). Neighborhood perceptions were obtained during follow-up interviews conducted approximately 24 months after diagnosis. Objective neighborhood disorder was from 9 items audited across 23,276 locations using Google Street View and scored to estimate disorder values at each participant's residential address at diagnosis. Census tract socioeconomic and demographic composition covariates were from the 2010 U.S. Census and American Community Survey. Pathways to perceived neighborhood disorder were built using structural equation modelling. Model fit was assessed from the comparative fit index and root mean square error approximation and associations were reported as standardized coefficients and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Higher perceived neighborhood disorder was associated with higher objective neighborhood disorder (ß = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.33), lower neighborhood social cohesion, and lower individual-level socioeconomic factors (final model root mean square error approximation 0.043 (90% CI: 0.013, 0.068)). Perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with individual-level socioeconomic factors and objective neighborhood disorder (ß = - 0.11, 95% CI: - 0.24, 0.02). CONCLUSION: Objective neighborhood disorder might be related to perceived disorder directly and indirectly through perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion.