Trajectories and risk factors of fatigue following colorectal cancer diagnosis.

AIM: This study sought to identify groups of colorectal cancer patients based upon trajectories of fatigue and examine how demographic, clinical and behavioural risk factors differentiate these groups. METHOD: Patients were from six cancer centres in the United States and Germany. Fatigue was measured using the fatigue subscale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) at five time points (baseline/enrolment and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after diagnosis). Piecewise growth mixture models identified latent trajectories of fatigue. Logistic regression models examined differences in demographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics between fatigue trajectory groups. RESULTS: Among 1615 participants (57% men, 86% non-Hispanic White, mean age 61 ± 13 years at diagnosis), three distinct groups were identified. In the high fatigue group (36%), fatigue significantly increased in the first 6 months after diagnosis and then showed statistically and clinically significant improvement from 6 to 24 months (P values < 0.01). Throughout the study period, average fatigue met or exceeded cutoffs for clinical significance. In the moderate (34%) and low (30%) fatigue groups, fatigue levels remained below or near population norms across the study period. Patients who were diagnosed with Stage II-IV disease and/or current smokers were more likely to be in the high fatigue than in the moderate fatigue group (P values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A large proportion of colorectal cancer patients experienced sustained fatigue after initiation of cancer treatment. Patients with high fatigue at the time of diagnosis may benefit from early supportive care.

Recruiting African American Prostate Cancer Survivors for a Population-based Biobank Study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer affects African American men disproportionately compared with men of other racial/ethnic groups. To identify biological bases for this health disparity, we sought to create a state-wide biobank of African American prostate cancer survivors in Florida. METHODS: African American men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2013 and 2017 and living in Florida at diagnosis were identified through the State of Florida's cancer registry. Individuals were approached via mail and telephone, assessed for eligibility, and asked for informed consent. χ2 and t tests were conducted to identify differences between eligible and reachable individuals (i.e., had valid contact information) versus consented participants. RESULTS: Of the 5,960 eligible and reachable individuals, 3,904 were eligible and contacted at least once, and 578 consented [overall consent rate = 10% (578/5,960); adjusted consent rate = 15% (578/3,904)]. Statistically significant (Ps < 0.05) but small differences in demographic and clinical variables were observed. Consented participants were less likely to be older than 64 (35% vs. 41%) and less likely to have received radiotherapy (36% vs. 41%) and hormone therapy (16% vs. 21%), but more likely to have regional prostate cancer (13% vs. 11%) and have undergone surgery (44% vs. 39%). Consented participants did not differ from reachable individuals on other demographic and clinical factors (Ps > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Recruiting African American prostate cancer survivors to biobanking research through a cancer registry is feasible. However, the consent rate was low, and existing challenges limit consent and participation. IMPACT: Strategies for overcoming barriers to informed consent and increasing participation in biospecimen research are needed to address cancer disparities.