Burden and trajectory of social needs after breast cancer diagnosis at a safety-net hospital

Purpose: Unmet social needs pose barriers to cancer care, contributing to adverse outcomes and health inequities. A better understanding of how social needs change after cancer diagnosis can inform more effective, equity-focused interventions. 

Methods: In this study, we examined self-reported social needs at 0, 3, and 6 months after a breast cancer diagnosis in a racially diverse, multilingual sample (n = 222) enrolled in patient navigation intervention at an urban safety-net hospital. At each timepoint, respondents completed surveys about social needs related to employment, disability benefits, housing and utilities, and personal and family stability. 

Results: Over three-quarters (78%, n = 175) reported ≥ 1 social need, and 46% (n = 102) reported ≥ 3 social needs. The most frequently reported need was housing and utilities (64%, n = 142), followed by employment (40%, n = 90). Individuals from minoritized groups more frequently reported an increased number of social needs over time, compared with their White counterparts (p = 0.02). 

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that despite navigation, many cancer patients from historically underrepresented populations continue to experience social concerns over the first 6 months of treatment. Further research, conducted with historically underrepresented populations in research, is needed to better understand the social needs of breast cancer patients to inform effective and equitable interventions.