BACKGROUND: Our aim was to survey the factors affecting access to cancer care in patients with head and neck cancer after Hurricane Katrina. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, 207 patients with head and neck cancer were identified post-Hurricane Katrina, but only 83 patients completed the questionnaires and were analyzed. Clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic data were recorded. Chi-square test and t test were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Patients who felt that there was a lack of access to cancer care would have sought treatment earlier had they had better access to cancer care (chi-square[1] = 32; p < .0001). Patients who felt that there was a lack of access to cancer care also had difficulty receiving treatment (chi-square[1] = 48; p < .0001). Availability of transportation affected access to cancer care in patients with early-stage cancers (chi-square[1] = 4; p < .035). CONCLUSION: In the postdisaster environment, patients who felt the lack of access to cancer care post-Hurricane Katrina would have sought treatment earlier with better access to cancer care. These patients also reported difficulty obtaining cancer treatment. Availability of transportation affected access to cancer care in patients with early-stage cancers. Clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic factors did not influence access to cancer care.
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to survey the factors affecting access to cancer care in patients with head and neck cancer after Hurricane Katrina. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, 207 patients with head and neck cancer were identified post-Hurricane Katrina, but only 83 patients completed the questionnaires and were analyzed. Clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic data were recorded. Chi-square test and t test were used for comparisons. RESULTS:Patients who felt that there was a lack of access to cancer care would have sought treatment earlier had they had better access to cancer care (chi-square[1] = 32; p < .0001). Patients who felt that there was a lack of access to cancer care also had difficulty receiving treatment (chi-square[1] = 48; p < .0001). Availability of transportation affected access to cancer care in patients with early-stage cancers (chi-square[1] = 4; p < .035). CONCLUSION: In the postdisaster environment, patients who felt the lack of access to cancer care post-Hurricane Katrina would have sought treatment earlier with better access to cancer care. These patients also reported difficulty obtaining cancer treatment. Availability of transportation affected access to cancer care in patients with early-stage cancers. Clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic factors did not influence access to cancer care.
Authors: Benjamin Ryan; Richard C Franklin; Frederick M Burkle; Peter Aitken; Erin Smith; Kerrianne Watt; Peter Leggat Journal: PLoS Curr Date: 2015-09-28
Authors: Pablo A Méndez-Lázaro; Yanina M Bernhardt; William A Calo; Andrea M Pacheco Díaz; Sandra I García-Camacho; Mirza Rivera-Lugo; Edna Acosta-Pérez; Naydi Pérez; Ana P Ortiz-Martínez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-10-25 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Samantha L Waddell; Dushyantha T Jayaweera; Mehdi Mirsaeidi; John C Beier; Naresh Kumar Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-09 Impact factor: 4.614