Abstract A096: Exploring the influence of sociodemographic factors in a Puerto Rican population with a diagnosis of cancer
Authors: Nieves-Jiménez Humberto R. , Firpo-Pabón Andrea , Martínez-Izquierdo Jean Carlos G. , Colón-Terrón Manuel A. , Vélez-Martínez Javier A. , Morales-Grimany Rafael E. , Ortiz-López Laura I. , Báez-Juarbe Sergio J. , Buitrago-Villamizar Diego B. , Mercado-Potes Juan D. , Portela-Colón Sebastián , Sánchez-Pérez Fernando A. , González-Morales Eric M. 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Sociodemographic data plays a vital role in understanding the diverse factors that might influence health outcomes, especially in patients with a diagnosis of cancer. Understanding elements such as age, sex, race identification, insurance status, and family support can provide guidance to better improve quality of life. For example, family support can make a significant difference when facing the emotional and physical challenges of the disease. Meanwhile, a favorable health insurance can often lessen financial burdens associated with treatment. The objective of this study is to outline the sociodemographic profile of a Puerto Rican cohort with a diagnosis of cancer and create a landscape for other minority and cancer-affected populations. Methodology: A questionnaire that inquired about sociodemographic data and past medical history was distributed at COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Puerto Rico from December 2020 to June 2021. Participants who had a confirmed history or current diagnosis of cancer were included. Bivariate analyses were conducted. This research received IRB approval. Results: The study cohort included 115 participants with a current or past diagnosis of cancer: 67 were female and 48 were male, with a mean age of 69.5±12.4 and an age range of 23-95. The most prevalent identified types of cancer diagnoses were prostate (15.7%), breast (13.9%), colon (3.5%), and skin (3.5%). When assessing race, 64.3% identified as White, 27.0% as Other Race, 7.8.% as Black or African American, and 0.9% as American Indian or Alaska Native. The majority of participants identified as Hispanic or Latino (97.4%). When considering health insurance status, out of 95 participants who answered the inquiry, 81.1% had private insurance, 12.6% had public insurance, and 6.3% were not insured. There was no statistical difference in prevalence of sex (p=0.729) or race identification (p=0.060) within private insurance status. In terms of family nucleus and household support, 26.1% mentioned living on their own, 41.7% lived with one other person, 16.5% lived with 2 additional people, and 15.7% lived with 3 or more people in their nucleus. There was a significantly higher prevalence of females living on their own than males (p=0.005). Meanwhile, males were significantly more likely to live with one other person than females (p=0.022). There was no statistical difference between sex prevalence and living with two people (p=0.118) or three or more people (p=0.191) in the family nucleus. Conclusions: This study provides a valuable snapshot of current sociodemographic data of a Puerto Rican population with a diagnosis of cancer. There was a particular prevalence of prostate and breast cancer in the cohort and most participants were privately insured. Within the context of important family support, most lived with another person as part of the nucleus; however, males were more likely to live with an additional person. Studies emphasizing the importance of sociodemographic factors in this population are vital for improving healthcare outcomes.

Citation Format: Humberto R. Nieves-Jiménez, Andrea Firpo-Pabón, Jean Carlos G. Martínez-Izquierdo, Manuel A. Colón-Terrón, Javier A. Vélez-Martínez, Rafael E. Morales-Grimany, Laura I. Ortiz-López, Sergio J. Báez-Juarbe, Diego B. Buitrago-Villamizar, Juan D. Mercado-Potes, Sebastián Portela-Colón, Fernando A. Sánchez-Pérez, Eric M. González-Morales. Exploring the influence of sociodemographic factors in a Puerto Rican population with a diagnosis of cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A096.