Ethnic differences in psychosocial service use among non-Latina white and Latina breast cancer survivors.
This study examined the use of psychosocial services (i.e., social work, psychiatric, psychological, and spiritual/pastoral services) among Latina and Non-Latina white breast cancer survivors.



Survivors who received treatment in a Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York completed a mailed questionnaire about interest in help for distress, and psychosocial service use. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were used to explore ethnic differences in use of, and interest in, psychosocial services.



Thirty-three percent of breast cancer survivors reported needing mental health or psychosocial services after their cancer diagnosis (33% Latinas, 34% whites); 34% of survivors discussed with their oncologist or cancer care provider their emotional problems or needs after the diagnosis (30% Latinas, 36% whites). Only 40% of the survivors who reported needing services received a referral for psychosocial services (42% Latinas, 39% whites). Sixty-six percent of survivors who reported needing services had contact with a counselor or mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker) after their diagnosis (57% Latinas, 71% whites), and 61% of those needing services reported receiving psychosocial services (53% Latinas, 67% whites). Whites were significantly more likely than Latinas to have contact with a social worker (33% vs. 17%, respectively) and to receive psychotropic medication (15% vs. 0%, respectively). However, Latinas were significantly more likely to receive spiritual counseling than whites (11% vs. 3%, respectively).



Our study revealed gaps for both groups; however, the gaps differed by group. It is crucial to study and address potential differences in the psychosocial services availability, acceptability, and help-seeking behaviors of ethnically diverse cancer patients and survivors.
a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA.
Rosario
R
Costas-Muñiz
b NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities , Tarrytown , NY , USA.
Migda
M
Hunter-Hernández
a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA.
Olga
O
Garduño-Ortega
c Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Sciences , University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus , San Juan , PR , USA.
Jennifer
J
Morales-Cruz
a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , NY , USA.
Francesca
F
Gany
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Latinas; depression; healthcare disparities; minority health; psychosocial services