Evaluating differences in receipt of survivorship care plan among cancer survivors with and without disabilities

Despite the role of the Survivorship Care Plan (SCP) in facilitating treatment adherence, research on SCP receipt among cancer survivors with disabilities remains limited. Thus, our study investigated the association between SCP receipt and disability count among cancer survivors.

We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Cancer Survivorship: Course of Treatment module. The final sample included 2271 respondents with self-reported cancer history. The outcome was self-reported SCP receipt (0 = did not receive SCP, 1 = received written summary or follow-up care instructions, and 2 = received SCP-both). Independent variable was disability counts, comprised of six types: hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living difficulties. Disability count was categorized into 0 = none, 1 one disability, 2 = two disabilities, and 3 =  ≥ 3 disabilities. We conducted weighted descriptive statistics and multinomial multivariable logistic regression.

The sample was mostly White (70.62%), female (59.42%), and aged ≥ 65 (54.88%). About 57% reported no disability, 20.89% reported 1-disability, 11.03% 2-disabilities, and 11.47% ≥ 3 disabilities. Mobility issues were the most common disability (26.86%), while self-care difficulties were the least common (6.40%). About 12.12% of cancer survivors did not receive SCP, 35.03% received either treatment summaries or follow-up care instructions, and 52.84% received SCP. Compared to those without disability, survivors with ≥ 3 disabilities had lower odds of receiving SCP (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.88, p = 0.022).

This study suggests disparities in SCP receipt by disability count. Addressing such disparities can promote treatment adherence and reduction of missed follow-up.