Abstract A043: Cancer care in people with HIV: Identifying adherence challenges to improve outcomes
Authors: Corrigan Kelsey L , Knettel Brandon A , Ho Noelani , Carr Stuart , Shah Bijal , Cahill Joan , Watt Melissa , Suneja Gita 
Published: September 2020

Background: With improved antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV are aging and non-AIDS-defining cancers have increasing prevalence in this population. Yet, population-based studies demonstrate that people with HIV are less likely to receive cancer treatment, which contributes to lower cancer-specific survival. Past studies have examined cancer disparities at the provider and healthy system levels, but have not explored the drivers of cancer treatment disparities from the patient’s perspective. We aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators of cancer treatment among patients living with HIV, along with perceptions of their cancer diagnosis and treatment, to inform future interventions, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 27 HIV-infected cancer patients to examine perceptions and care engagement in this population. We recruited equal numbers of patients who had (a) past cancer treatment, (b) were currently undergoing cancer treatment, or (c) experienced challenges with receiving or completing cancer treatment. Semi-structured interviews explored multiple topics related to HIV and cancer care, including treatment decision-making, patient-provider interactions, stigma, coping, and barriers to care. Patients were recruited until thematic saturation was reached. Results: Study participants were predominantly male (n=22, 81%) with a median age of 56 years and median annual household income of $24,000. Prevailing themes from the interviews included descriptions of the “devastating” impact of a cancer diagnosis, with a considerable dual burden of pre-existing HIV. Participants noted that having HIV added anxiety about cancer treatment, side effects, and potential treatment interactions. Among those who experienced cancer treatment adherence challenges, barriers included cancer treatment side effects, stigma, transportation difficulties, cost of care, and challenges with coping and mental health. Despite these challenges, participants generally reported having positive healthcare experiences, including compassionate providers, ease of referral, and sound communication. Several participants indicated that their past experiences of coping with HIV had prepared them to accept and address their cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: This is the first qualitative study assessing barriers and facilitators to cancer care among people living with HIV and cancer in the U.S. For many HIV-infected patients, a cancer diagnosis creates substantial added stress to an already challenging social and medical situation. Often, these stressors impact patients’ ability to complete cancer treatment. Resiliency was noted to be a key facilitator, with participants frequently citing family, friends, faith, and the healthcare system as key sources of support.

Citation Format: Kelsey L Corrigan, Brandon A Knettel, Noelani Ho, Stuart Carr, Bijal Shah, Joan Cahill, Melissa Watt, Gita Suneja. Cancer care in people with HIV: Identifying adherence challenges to improve outcomes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A043.