Cancer Screening Uptake and Usual Source of Care Among Hispanic Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer

This study examines cancer screening rates and the usual source of care among Hispanic survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA, aged 15-39) cancer, a group at increased risk for poor health outcomes, including secondary cancers.

National Health Interview Survey data were analyzed to identify Hispanic survivors of AYA cancer and Hispanic age- and sex-matched non-cancer controls. Breast, cervical, and colorectal screening (ever screened and up-to-date according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations) as well as reporting a usual source of care were compared among survivors and controls eligible for screening using multivariable logistic regressions.

Hispanic survivors were significantly more likely than Hispanic controls to report up-to-date cervical (43.8% vs. 25.5%, p < 0.001) and colorectal (43.1% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.002) cancer screenings. Eligible female survivors were also significantly more likely than controls to report ever having been screened for breast (86.9% vs. 60.6%, p < 0.001) and cervical (43.3% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.001) cancers. Additionally, survivors were significantly more likely than controls to report a usual source of care (74.4% vs. 49.9%, p < 0.001).

Although Hispanic survivors of AYA cancers were more likely than Hispanic individuals without a history of cancer to report up-to-date cancer screening, screening rates among both groups remain low. Notably, approximately one-quarter of survivors reported lacking a usual source of care, indicating potential gaps in preventive health care access. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve cancer screening uptake among Hispanic survivors of AYA cancer.