Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Factors Correlate with Late-Stage Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group Registries.

BACKGROUND: We examined the association between late-stage diagnosis and individual- and community-level sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics among patients with pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). METHODS: We obtained Children's Oncology Group data from 1999 to 2021 including summary stage [local (L), regional (R), and distant (D)], tumor subtype, demographics, and ZIP Code at diagnosis. We linked ZIP Codes to county-level redlining scores (C, D = greatest redlining), the Child Opportunity Index, and measures of segregation (racial dissimilarity indices). Logistic regressions calculated odds ratios for late-stage diagnosis and by race within tumor subtype. RESULTS: In total, 5,956 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and 2,800 patients with RMS were included. Late-stage diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma was correlated with Black race [ORDistant(D) vs. regional/local (R&L) = 1.38 (1.13-1.68)], being uninsured [ORD vs. R&L = 1.38 (1.09-1.75)], and subtype [nodular sclerosis vs. Other Hodgkin lymphoma: ORD vs. R&L = 1.64 (1.34-2.01), Untyped: ORD vs. R&L = 1.30 (1.04-1.63)]. Late-stage RMS was correlated with bilingual households [ORDistant/regional(D&R) vs. local(L) = 2.66 (1.03-6.91)] and tumor type [alveolar vs. embryonal ORD vs. R&L = 6.16 (5.00-7.58)]. Community-level factors associated with late-stage Hodgkin lymphoma were greater Black (OR80-100% = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.11-3.02) and Hispanic (OR60-79% = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.05-1.60) dissimilarity indices. Late-stage diagnosis for RMS was associated with more redlined census tracts within counties (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.02-2.35) and low/very low Child Opportunity Index (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.02-1.45). CONCLUSIONS: Novel markers of community deprivation, such as redlining and racial segregation, were correlated with cancer outcomes for children with Hodgkin lymphoma and RMS in this first disparities study using Children's Oncology Group registries. IMPACT: The interplay of multilevel risk factors provides important consideration for efforts to improve early detection of pediatric cancer diagnosis.

Risk Factors and Trends for HPV-Associated Subsequent Malignant Neoplasms among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMN; new cancers that arise after an original diagnosis) contribute to premature mortality among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Because of the high population prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, we identify demographic and clinical risk factors for HPV-associated SMNs (HPV-SMN) among AYA cancer survivors in the SEER-9 registries diagnosed from 1976 to 2015. METHODS: Outcomes included any HPV-SMN, oropharyngeal-SMN, and cervical-SMN. Follow-up started 2 months after their original diagnosis. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) compared risk between AYA survivors and general population. Age-period-cohort (APC) models examined trends over time. Fine and Gray's models identified therapy effects controlling for cancer and demographic confounders. RESULTS: Of 374,408 survivors, 1,369 had an HPV-SMN, occurring on average 5 years after first cancer. Compared with the general population, AYA survivors had 70% increased risk for any HPV-SMN [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.61-1.79] and 117% for oropharyngeal-SMN (95% CI, 2.00-2.35); cervical-SMN risk was generally lower in survivors (SIR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.95), but Hispanic AYA survivors had a 8.4 significant increase in cervical-SMN (SIR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01-2.06). AYAs first diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma, leukemia, Hodgkin, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma had increased HPV-SMN risks compared with the general population. Oropharyngeal-SMN incidence declined over time in APC models. Chemotherapy and radiation were associated with any HPV-SMN among survivors with first HPV-related cancers, but not associated among survivors whose first cancers were not HPV-related. CONCLUSIONS: HPV-SMN in AYA survivors are driven by oropharyngeal cancers despite temporal declines in oropharyngeal-SMN. Hispanic survivors are at risk for cervical-SMN relative to the general population. IMPACT: Encouraging HPV vaccination and cervical and oral cancer screenings may reduce HPV-SMN burden among AYA survivors.

COVID-19-Related Employment Disruptions and Increased Financial Burden Among Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer.

Background: Financial burden is a major concern for survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers. We identified if employment disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic affected AYA survivors' financial burden. Methods: AYAs who were enrolled in a cancer patient navigation program were e-mailed a survey in fall 2020. Survey items included sociodemographics, employment disruption, and two measures of financial burden: COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) and material and behavioral financial hardship items (for any reason, COVID-19 induced, cancer induced). Financial burden outcomes were dichotomized at the median (COST = 21; financial hardship = 3). The association of employment disruptions and sociodemographics with financial burden was assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Reduced hours/job loss was reported by 24.0% of 341 participants. Survivors with a high school education or less (odds ratio [OR]: 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-6.03) or who had decreased hours or job loss (OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 2.01-7.84) had greater odds for high financial toxicity. Reduced hours/job loss was the only factor associated with high material and behavioral financial hardship for both any reason (OR: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.41-5.33) and owing to COVID-19 (OR: 4.98; 95% CI: 2.28-10.92). Cancer treatment since March 2020 was associated with cancer-induced high material and behavioral financial hardship (OR: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.96-5.58). Conclusion: Employment disruptions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, lower education levels, and cancer treatment were associated with high financial burden among AYA cancer survivors. Our findings suggest the need for multilevel interventions to identify and address financial burden among vulnerable cancer survivors.

HPV Vaccination Initiation and Completion Among Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivors and a Comparison Population Sample Receiving Primary Care.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations can reduce pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (PAYA) cancer survivors' susceptibility to HPV-related subsequent cancers. We examined differences in HPV vaccination initiation and completion among a Utah-based cohort of PAYA cancer survivors and a cancer-free population sample. Participants received primary care at 1 of 2 health care systems during study follow-up: 2006-2016. Vaccination records were identified from these health care systems, statewide vaccination records, and an all-payer claims database. HPV vaccination initiation (1 dose) and completion (3 doses) were compared between cancer survivors (N=1579) and age-matched and sex-matched cancer-free population sample (N=4513). Individuals were 9 to 21 years old at cohort entry. Mixed-effects Poisson regression estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Relative to the population sample, cancer survivors were less likely to initiate vaccination (IRR=0.8, 95% CI: 0.73-0.98). The most severe disparity compared with the population sample for vaccine initiation (IRR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.31-0.74) or completion (IRR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.28-0.89) was observed for Hispanic survivors. PAYA cancer survivors are less likely to initiate HPV vaccination series than noncancer counterparts. Targeted interventions should be directed at PAYA survivors to raise HPV vaccination with emphasis on high-risk groups such as Hispanic survivors.

Patterns of indoor radon concentrations, radon-hazard potential, and radon testing on a small geographic scale in Utah.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are no publicly-available estimates of indoor radon concentration at scales smaller than the county. Radon-hazard potential soil maps that reflect underlying geologic factors can be created at small geographic scale and linked to residential and census data. We determined the association between residential radon tests and high radon-hazard potential soil at the residential and block group levels using a large Utah-based dataset. We also identified characteristics of block groups with limited tests in the dataset. METHODS: We geocoded a dataset of residential radon tests obtained from 2001 to 2017 by a statewide educational program. We linked each location to maps of radon-hazard potential soil, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) county radon zones. We also calculated the number of tests conducted in each block group and linked block groups to demographic data from the 2020 United States census. Log-linear and logistic models identified the association between residential home test results and 1) radon-hazard potential soil of each residence, 2) percent of residences on high radon-hazard potential soils in block groups, and 3) EPA's radon zones. We compared demographic characteristics among block groups with ≥5 or <5 residential tests in our dataset. RESULTS: Approximately 42% of homes in the dataset tested ≥4 pCi/L. We found significant positive associations for residential radon test results with 1) residential location on high radon-hazard potential soil and 2) block groups with >0% of residences on high radon-hazard potential soil. EPA radon zones were not associated with residential test results. Block groups with <5 tests had higher than the statewide median percentage of Hispanic residents (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.89-3.21) and were located in rural counties. DISCUSSION: Radon-hazard potential soil has a significant association with residential home radon tests. More efforts are needed to improve radon testing in block groups that are rural and have greater percentages of racial minorities.

Financial burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic are related to disrupted healthcare utilization among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers.

PURPOSE: We examined whether financial burdens occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare utilization among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers. METHODS: We surveyed survivors enrolled in a patient navigation program to obtain self-reports of delayed/skipped cancer care or other care, changes to medication obtainment, and changes to medication use since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Reported financial burdens were defined as financial toxicity in the past 4 weeks (COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity [COST] ≤ median 21) and material hardships (range = 4-11) since March 2020. Adjusted logistic regression models calculated associations and effect modification by gender. RESULTS: Survivors (n = 341) were mostly female (61.3%) and non-Hispanic White (83.3%). Nearly 20% delayed/skipped cancer care, 35.2% delayed/skipped other care, 19.1% changed medication obtainment, and 12.6% changed medication use. Greater material hardships were associated with delayed/skipped cancer care (odds ratio (OR) = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.44-6.81) and other care (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.18-3.98), and changed medication obtainment (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.43-5.18) or use (OR = 4.49, 95% CI = 2.05-9.80). Financial toxicity was associated with delayed/skipped other care (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.31-4.89) and changed medication obtainment (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.01-3.83) and medication use (OR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.59-8.73). The association of material hardships and any changes in healthcare utilization was greater among female compared to male survivors. CONCLUSION: Financial burdens experienced during the pandemic impeded survivors' ability to utilize necessary healthcare, with worse impacts among female survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Delayed or skipped healthcare may lead to an increased cancer mortality or severity of therapy-related conditions. Providing resources that enable survivors experiencing financial burdens to continue critical cancer and preventive care during the COVID-19 pandemic is a priority.

Missed opportunities for concomitant HPV vaccination among childhood cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Childhood cancer survivors are at higher risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related second cancers than adolescents without cancer, yet their HPV vaccination uptake is lower. Using a statewide sample, we evaluated whether survivors are at higher risk of missed opportunities for concomitant HPV vaccination. METHODS: From statewide healthcare data, we identified encounters where vaccines were received. Concomitant HPV vaccine missed opportunities were defined as a vaccine encounter where the HPV vaccine was not administered, although eligibility criteria were met. From these encounters, our sample included 327 survivors identified from the Utah Cancer Registry, diagnosed 2000-2016 at ages 0-9, and a birth year and sex-matched sample without cancer from the general population (n = 1,911). Mixed-effects Poisson regression estimated the rate of concomitant missed opportunities per vaccine encounter and 95% confidence intervals by vaccine encounter type (all vaccines, flu shot only, or adolescent/catch-up) from 2013 to 2016. RESULTS: Survivors had more concomitant HPV vaccine missed opportunities than the population sample (70.0% vs. 59.0%). On average, survivors were 12% more likely to have missed opportunities at vaccine encounters and 4% more likely at flu shot only encounters. The predicted excess risk of concomitant missed opportunities for survivors ranged from 0.5 per10 vaccine encounters to 1.1 per10 vaccine encounters. Higher parental education, rurality, younger first vaccine age, and chemotherapy were associated with missed opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood cancer survivors have more missed opportunities for concomitant HPV vaccination than a population sample. As flu shots should be administered annually, providers have a regular opportunity to recommend and deliver the HPV vaccine to survivors.

Perceptions and knowledge of air pollution and its health effects among caregivers of childhood cancer survivors: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging research suggests that survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers are at risk for morbidity and mortality associated with air pollutants. However, caregiver perceptions of the effects of air pollution are unknown. Thus, to address this gap we described caregivers' perceptions of air pollution's impact on general population health and specifically on childhood cancer survivors, and caregivers' air pollution information-seeking and exposure reduction behaviors. METHODS: Participants were Utah residents, ≥18 years, and caregiver of a childhood cancer survivor who had completed treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers to describe their perspectives on air quality, how air pollution impacts health (general population and survivor health), and their information seeking and exposure reduction behaviors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through two rounds of structured coding. RESULTS: Caregivers (N = 13) were non-Hispanic white and primarily females (92.3%) between 30 and 49 years old (46.2%). Most families lived within the Wasatch Front (69.2%), the main metropolitan of Utah. Two categories emerged pertaining to caregiver's perceptions of air pollution: 1) Limited awareness about the health effects of air pollution, and 2) Unsuccessful information seeking and minimal exposure reduction behaviors. All caregivers held negative perceptions of air pollution in Utah, but most were unaware of how pollution affects health. While some families limited air pollution exposure by avoiding outdoor activity or physically leaving the region, few practiced survivor-specific exposure reduction. Nearly half of caregivers worried about potential effects of air pollution on survivor health and wanted more information. CONCLUSIONS: Despite negative perceptions of air pollution, caregivers were divided on whether air pollution could impact survivor health. Few caregivers engaged in exposure reduction for their cancer survivor. As air pollution levels increase in the U.S., continued research on this topic is essential to managing cancer survivor respiratory and cardiovascular health.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors.

The study objective was to identify sociodemographic and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Eligible participants were 18 years or older and were diagnosed with cancer as an AYA (ages 15-39 years) and received services through an AYA cancer program. A total of 342 participants completed a cross-sectional survey. Our primary outcome-COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy-was surveyed as a 5-point Likert scale and operationalized as a binary outcome (agree vs hesitant). A large proportion of participants reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (37.1%). In the multivariable regression, female survivors (odds ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval = 1.10 to 2.98) and survivors with a high school education or less (odds ratio = 3.15, 95% confidence interval = 1.41 to 7.04) reported higher odds of vaccine hesitancy compared with their male or college graduate or higher counterparts. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persists among AYA survivors despite their recommended priority vaccination status and higher chances of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Air Pollution across the Cancer Continuum: Extending Our Understanding of the Relationship between Environmental Exposures and Cancer.

Previous studies of the environment and cancer have focused on etiology, showing that extrinsic factors in the environment contribute to 70% to 90% of cancers. Cancer patients and survivors often continue to live in the same neighborhoods they resided in before their cancer diagnosis. Thus, patients and survivors are exposed to the same environmental contexts that likely contributed to their original cancer, but little is known about the health effects of continued exposure to carcinogens after a cancer diagnosis. This commentary provides a summary of studies of the association between PM2.5 and cancer mortality among patients and PM2.5 and posttreatment morbidity among cancer survivors, and proposes new directions and opportunities for future research on such topics.See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, "Environmental Carcinogenesis: Pathways to Prevention."

Associations Between School Characteristics and Classroom Radon Concentrations in Utah's Public Schools: A Project Completed by University Environmental Health Students.

Radon (²²²Rn), a radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. Classroom radon concentrations in public schools in our target area had never been measured or had not been measured in many years. We had university students, primarily enrolled in environmental health courses, measure radon concentrations in 2289 classrooms in 66 of Utah's public schools and identify school characteristics associated with classroom radon concentrations. The geometric mean (GM) classroom radon concentration was 31.39 (95% confidence interval (CI): 27.16, 36.28) Bq/m3 (GM: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.98 pCi/L). Thirty-seven (2%) classrooms in 13 (20%) schools had radon concentrations at or above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommended action level of 148 Bq/m3 (4.0 pCi/L). Number of classrooms had a u-shaped association with classroom radon concentrations. The year the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system was installed was inversely associated with having classroom radon concentrations at or above the EPA's recommended action level. Number of classrooms and number of students had u-shaped associations with having classroom radon concentrations at or above the EPA's recommended action level. Classroom radon concentrations decreased when schools' HVAC systems were on. Replacing HVAC systems and turning/keeping them on may be effective radon mitigation strategies to prevent radon-associated lung cancer, especially for small and large schools.

Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution and Mortality among Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution is a carcinogen and causes pulmonary and cardiac complications. We examined the association of fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) and mortality from cancer and all causes among pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer in Utah, a state with considerable variation in PM2.5. METHODS: We followed 2,444 pediatric (diagnosed ages 0-14) and 13,459 AYA (diagnosed ages 15-39) patients diagnosed in 1986-2015 from diagnosis to 5 and 10 years postdiagnosis, death, or emigration. We measured average monthly PM2.5 by ZIP code during follow-up. Separate pediatric and AYA multivariable Cox models estimated the association of PM2.5 and mortality. Among AYAs, we examined effect modification of PM2.5 and mortality by stage while controlling for cancer type. RESULTS: Increases in PM2.5 per 5 µg/m3 were associated with cancer mortality in pediatric lymphomas and central nervous system (CNS) tumors at both time points, and all cause mortality in lymphoid leukemias [HR5-year = 1.32 (1.02-1.71)]. Among AYAs, PM2.5 per 5 µg/m3 was associated with cancer mortality in CNS tumors and carcinomas at both time points, and all cause mortality for all AYA cancer types [HR5-year = 1.06 (1.01-1.13)]. PM2.5 ≥12 µg/m3 was associated with cancer mortality among breast [HR5-year = 1.50 (1.29-1.74); HR10-year = 1.30 (1.13-1.50)] and colorectal cancers [HR5-year = 1.74 (1.29-2.35); HR10-year = 1.67 (1.20-2.31)] at both time points. Effect modification by stage was significant, with local tumors at highest risk. CONCLUSIONS: PM2.5 was associated with mortality in pediatric and AYA patients with specific cancers. IMPACT: Limiting PM2.5 exposure may be important for young cancer patients with certain cancers.See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, "Environmental Carcinogenesis: Pathways to Prevention."

Hospitalization after Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer: A Population-Based Study in Utah.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYA, age 15-39 years) with cancer may be at elevated risk for late morbidity following their cancer treatment, but few studies have quantified the excess burden of severe disease in this population. Using population-based data from Utah, we examined the risk of inpatient hospitalizations among AYA cancer survivors compared with their siblings and the general population. METHODS: Survivors of AYA cancer who were ≥2 years from diagnosis and diagnosed from 1994 to 2015 (N = 6,330), their siblings (N = 12,924), and an age- and sex-matched comparison cohort (N = 18,171) were identified using the Utah Population Database (UPDB). Hospitalizations from 1996 to 2017 were identified from statewide discharge records in the UPDB. We estimated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for first hospitalization and rate ratios (RR) for total hospitalizations for survivors relative to the matched comparison cohort and siblings. RESULTS: Overall, the risk of a first hospitalization was higher among AYA cancer survivors than the matched population-based cohort [HR = 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-2.06]. Risk was most elevated for survivors of leukemia (HR = 4.76), central nervous system tumors (HR = 3.45), colorectal cancers (HR = 2.83), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR = 2.76), and breast cancer (HR = 2.37). The rate of total hospitalizations was also increased among survivors relative to the comparison cohort (RR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.95-2.14). Patterns were generally similar in analyses comparing survivors to their siblings. CONCLUSIONS: AYA cancer survivors have a higher burden of inpatient hospitalization than their siblings and the general population. IMPACT: Results indicate the importance of long-term, risk-based follow-up care to prevent and treat severe morbidities after cancer treatment.

Feasibility of Capturing Cancer Treatment Data in the Utah All-Payer Claims Database.

PURPOSE: Incompleteness of treatment data is a recognized limitation of cancer registry data. An all-payer claims database (APCD) is a tool that states use to capture health care information across systems and payer. We linked the Utah Cancer Registry (UCR) records to Utah's statewide APCD and evaluated how this linkage led to improvements in the capture of cancer treatment information. METHODS: We linked cancers diagnosed and reported to the UCR with Utah APCD claims for the calendar years 2013 and 2014 using LinkPlus Software. For patients with breast or colorectal cancers, manual abstraction was completed to provide a gold-standard comparison for the treatment data obtained from the claims. RESULTS: Among 10,759 reportable cancer occurrences linked to the APCD, the claims identified additional patients with cancer who received therapies that had been unknown to the registry, increasing the proportion treated with chemotherapy from 23.7% to 27.6%, hormone therapy from 14.1% to 18.8%, immunotherapy from 4.3% to 13.2%, and radiation therapy from 24.9% to 27.5%. The APCD increased the sensitivity of treatment variables compared with the abstraction gold standard. Notably, sensitivity of hormonal therapy for breast cancer increased from 78.6% to 95.2% when augmented with APCD claims data. However, the APCD alone did not achieve as high specificity for treatment data as did the data collected through traditional registry methods. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study, to our knowledge, showing that linking cancer registry data with a statewide claims database that covers multiple insurance companies improves cancer treatment data collection. Linking of cancer registry and APCD data can improve comprehensiveness of cancer registry treatment data.

Colorectal cancer knowledge and screening adherence among low-income Hispanic employees.

Hispanics have the lowest colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates of all racial/ethnic groups and comprise the largest proportion of low-income manual laborers in the nation. We partnered with businesses to implement a community health worker (CHW)-led intervention among Hispanic workers in service-related and manual labor occupations, which often pay low wages and do not provide health insurance. CHWs measured knowledge, screening adherence and perceptions of CRC risk before and after educational interventions via interview. CHWs provided fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) to participants aged ≥50 years. Chi-square tests and logistic regression identified pre-intervention predictors of CRC knowledge of all participants and adherence among eligible participants. Adherence among participants increased from 40% (n = 307) pre-intervention to 66% post-intervention. Knowledge about CRC was associated with age ≥50 years (OR = 8.90 [95% CI = 2.61-30.35]; ref = 18-30) and perceived personal risk for CRC (Likely, OR = 3.06 [95% CI = 1.40-6.67]; ref = Not likely). Insurance status was associated with screening adherence pre-intervention (OR = 3.00 [95% CI 1.10-8.12]; ref = No insurance). Improvement in adherence post-intervention was associated with income between $25 000 and ≥$55 000 (OR = 8.49 [95% CI 1.49-48.32]; ref = $5000-<$10 000). Community-based health programs can improve CRC screening adherence among Hispanic workers in service-related and manual labor positions, but lowest-income workers may need additional support.

Fine Particulate Matter and Respiratory Healthcare Encounters among Survivors of Childhood Cancers.

Some chemotherapies that treat childhood cancers have pulmonary-toxic properties that increase risk for adverse respiratory-health outcomes. PM2.5 causes similar outcomes but its effect among pulmonary compromised cancer survivors is unknown. This case-crossover study identified the PM2.5-associated odds for primary-respiratory hospitalizations and emergency department visits among childhood cancer survivors in Utah. We compared risk among chemotherapy-treated survivors to a cancer-free sample. We calculated 3-day-average PM2.5 by ZIP code and county for event and control days. Conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios. Models were stratified by cause of admission (infection, respiratory disease, asthma), previous chemotherapy, National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and other variables. Results are presented per 10 µg/m³ of PM2.5. 90% of events occurred at 3-day PM2.5 averages <35.4 µg/m³, the NAAQS 24-h standard. For survivors, PM2.5 was associated with respiratory hospitalizations (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.13⁻3.00) and hospitalizations from respiratory infection (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.06⁻4.14). Among chemotherapy-treated survivors, the PM2.5-associated odds of respiratory hospitalization (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.14⁻3.61) were significantly higher than the cancer-free sample (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.57⁻1.25). This is the first study to report significant associations between PM2.5 and respiratory healthcare encounters in childhood cancer survivors. Chemotherapy-treated survivors displayed the highest odds of hospitalization due to PM2.5 exposure and their risk is significantly higher than a cancer-free sample.

A Workplace-Based Intervention to Improve Awareness, Knowledge, and Utilization of Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screenings Among Latino Service and Manual Labor Employees in Utah.

In the United States, Latinos are more likely to be uninsured and diagnosed with later stage cancer than non-Hispanic whites. Promotoras (lay health educators) help improve cancer knowledge and facilitate access to cancer screenings. We tested a promotora led workplace-based intervention to improve knowledge of and adherence to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening among Latino employees in service or manual labor jobs. Latinos 18 and older from Salt Lake County, Utah were enrolled from January 2015 to February 2016. N = 265 completed pre- and post-intervention surveys that measured knowledge of and adherence to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings. Demographic, economic, and cancer factors of participants who completed the intervention were compared to those who were incomplete. Changes in knowledge and adherence were calculated using McNemar's tests. Logistic regression compared outcomes by select demographic, economic and cancer factors. More participants were older, spoke Non-English languages, were single/widow(er)s, worked part-time, and had an immediate family member with cancer compared to those who did not complete the study (all p < 0.05). Knowledge of the age to begin cancer screenings increased significantly from baseline to follow-up for cervical (65.1-77.7%), breast (67.2-81.7%), and colorectal cancer (49.8-80.7%), all p ≤ 0.001. Knowledge of the frequency of cervical (34.0-46.5%) and colorectal (72.1-84.5%) screening increased from baseline to follow-up, both p < 0.001. Adherence to fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for colorectal cancer increased from baseline to follow-up (13.8-56.9%, p < 0.001). Promotora led workplace-based interventions can strengthen community capacity for educating and supporting Latino employees in preventing breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer.

Respiratory emergency department use from diagnosis through survivorship in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer often experience severe respiratory morbidity and mortality from the therapies used to treat their cancers. Few studies have examined respiratory outcomes among this population using emergency department (ED) visits as an objective measure of respiratory health. METHODS: ED visits for respiratory conditions were identified for children and AYAs diagnosed with cancer, 0-25 years of age, from 1997 through 2012 (2535 cases) and compared with a birthdate-matched and sex-matched cohort without cancer drawn from the general population (7605 controls). Negative binomial regression with robust standard errors was used to estimate incidence rates, rate ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals for primary respiratory ED visits, combined and by diagnosis (asthma, respiratory disease, and respiratory infection) from 1997 through 2015. Analyses were performed for new cases (0 to <5 years from diagnosis) and survivors (5-18 years from diagnosis). RESULTS: Subjects were followed for an average of 8 years (range, 0-18 years). Relative to the comparison cohort, cancer cases had higher incidence rates for all types of respiratory ED visits over both follow-up times. New cases had significantly higher RRs for any respiratory condition (RR, 4.14), respiratory disease (RR, 4.62), and respiratory infection (RR, 4.74). Among survivors, the RRs for any respiratory condition (RR, 2.00) and respiratory infection (RR, 2.10) were significantly elevated, although the magnitude tended to decline in survivorship. Demographic and clinical risk factors found to be associated with respiratory ED visits included Hispanic/other race/ethnicity, male sex, exposure to chemotherapy, diagnosis at a younger age, and a diagnosis of leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study demonstrated that children and AYAs with cancer face an increased burden of respiratory complications compared with a comparison cohort without cancer from diagnosis through survivorship.

Self-rated health and its association with perceived environmental hazards, the social environment, and cultural stressors in an environmental justice population.

BACKGROUND: Communities with large minority populations often are located near sources of pollution and have higher crime rates, which may work in combination with other factors to influence health. Poor self-rated health is related to chronic health conditions and premature mortality, with minority populations most likely to report poor health. To address how both resident perception of neighborhood environments and chronic health conditions individually and collectively influence health, we examined self-rated health and its association with multiple types of perceived environmental hazards in a majority-Hispanic urban population. METHODS: We conducted interviews with 354 residents of Chelsea, Massachusetts, US and asked about self-rated health, perceptions of their neighborhood, including participant-reported environmental hazards (e.g., air quality, odors and noise), aspects of the social environment (e.g., feeling safe, neighborhood crime, social cohesion), and culture-related stressors (e.g., immigration status, language stress, ethnic identity). Log-linear models examined the independent and multivariable associations between these factors and fair/poor self-rated health, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and preexisting health conditions. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of participants reported fair/poor self-rated health. Participants frequently perceived environmental hazards such as problems with pests and regular noise disturbance as well as feeling unsafe. In a multivariable model, a greater number of reported noise disturbances (≥ 2 noise sources = 1.53 [1.04-2.26]) and reported insecurity with immigration status (1.66 [1.01-2.73]) were positively associated with fair/poor self-rated health. High social cohesion was inversely associated (0.74 [0.48-1.14]) with fair/poor self-rated health in the multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS: Negative perceptions of environmental hazards and reported cultural stressors were significantly associated with fair/poor self-rated health among residents in a low-income majority-minority community, with social cohesion having a beneficial association with self-rated health. Efforts to improve health should recognize the importance of public perceptions of social and environmental hazards found in neighborhood environments, and benefits of strengthening community connections.

A statewide investigation of geographic lung cancer incidence patterns and radon exposure in a low-smoking population.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Utah despite having the nation's lowest smoking rate. Radon exposure and differences in lung cancer incidence between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas may explain this phenomenon. We compared smoking-adjusted lung cancer incidence rates between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties by predicted indoor radon level, sex, and cancer stage. We also compared lung cancer incidence by county classification between Utah and all SEER sites. METHODS: SEER*Stat provided annual age-adjusted rates per 100,000 from 1991 to 2010 for each Utah county and all other SEER sites. County classification, stage, and sex were obtained from SEER*Stat. Smoking was obtained from Environmental Public Health Tracking estimates by Ortega et al. EPA provided low (< 2 pCi/L), moderate (2-4 pCi/L), and high (> 4 pCi/L) indoor radon levels for each county. Poisson models calculated overall, cancer stage, and sex-specific rates and p-values for smoking-adjusted and unadjusted models. LOESS smoothed trend lines compared incidence rates between Utah and all SEER sites by county classification. RESULTS: All metropolitan counties had moderate radon levels; 12 (63%) of the 19 nonmetropolitan counties had moderate predicted radon levels and 7 (37%) had high predicted radon levels. Lung cancer incidence rates were higher in nonmetropolitan counties than metropolitan counties (34.8 vs 29.7 per 100,000, respectively). Incidence of distant stage cancers was significantly higher in nonmetropolitan counties after controlling for smoking (16.7 vs 15.4, p = 0.02*). Incidence rates in metropolitan, moderate radon and nonmetropolitan, moderate radon counties were similar. Nonmetropolitan, high radon counties had a significantly higher incidence of lung cancer compared to nonmetropolitan, moderate radon counties after adjustment for smoking (41.7 vs 29.2, p < 0.0001*). Lung cancer incidence patterns in Utah were opposite of metropolitan/nonmetropolitan trends in other SEER sites. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer incidence and distant stage incidence rates were consistently higher in nonmetropolitan Utah counties than metropolitan counties, suggesting that limited access to preventative screenings may play a role in this disparity. Smoking-adjusted incidence rates in nonmetropolitan, high radon counties were significantly higher than moderate radon counties, suggesting that radon was also major contributor to lung cancer in these regions. National studies should account for geographic and environmental factors when examining nonmetropolitan/metropolitan differences in lung cancer.