“Quite Devastating, Traumatic, and Lonely”: Understanding the Mental Health Experiences of Hispanic/Latino Rectal Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

IF 3.1 2区医学 Q2 ONCOLOGY

Cancer Medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-16 DOI:10.1002/cam4.71253

Zaria N. Cosby, Julian P. Howland, Eleanor Brown, Lucas K. Carpenter, Kristen M. Davis-Lopez, Min Young Kim, Patricia Castañeda, Maria Gonzalez, Miriam T. Hernandez, Ysabel Duron, Gladys M. Rodriguez, Sandra S. Zaky, Arden M. Morris, Aaron J. Dawes

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Abstract

Background

Psychological distress increases after a cancer diagnosis. However, patients who identify as Hispanic/Latino are less likely than their White counterparts to receive mental health care after being diagnosed, placing them at risk of poor psychological adjustment. The parent research objective aimed to characterize the treatment experiences of rectal cancer patients who identify as Hispanic/Latino. This qualitative secondary analysis specifically explored patients' emotional and psychological experiences.

Methods

We partnered with local community health workers to recruit rectal cancer patients who identified as Hispanic/Latino and their caregivers from California's Bay Area and Central Valley. Semi-structured interviews (n = 21) were conducted in either Spanish or English based on patient preference. Initial themes were identified using reflexive analysis. Experiences of distress were found in nearly all interviews, motivating this qualitative secondary analysis using directed content analysis.

Results

We identified three main themes: (1) emotional reactions to the initial diagnosis, (2) perspectives and emotions experienced throughout treatment, and (3) coping strategies and advice for others. Participants reported shock and incongruence with their diagnosis. The treatment journey caused feelings of embarrassment and frustration from difficulties such as racial profiling and insurance. Patients coped through faith and support from trusted individuals.

Conclusions

Rectal cancer patients who identify as Hispanic/Latino endure emotional distress at multiple stages of their cancer journey, including from sources that are unique to this population. Culturally and linguistically tailored interventions are needed to help mitigate this psychological burden and to provide active, coordinated support throughout the treatment phase in order to better prepare patients for survivorship.

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“相当毁灭性，创伤和孤独”：了解西班牙裔/拉丁裔直肠癌患者及其护理人员的心理健康经历。

背景：癌症诊断后心理困扰增加。然而，与白人患者相比，被诊断为西班牙裔/拉丁裔的患者在被诊断后接受精神卫生保健的可能性更小，这使他们面临心理适应不良的风险。本研究的目的是描述西班牙裔/拉丁裔直肠癌患者的治疗经历。这种定性的二次分析专门探讨了患者的情绪和心理体验。方法：我们与当地社区卫生工作者合作，从加利福尼亚海湾地区和中央山谷招募西班牙裔/拉丁裔直肠癌患者及其护理人员。半结构化访谈（n = 21）根据患者偏好用西班牙语或英语进行。使用反身性分析确定初始主题。在几乎所有的访谈中都发现了痛苦的经历，这促使我们使用定向内容分析进行定性的二次分析。结果：我们确定了三个主要主题：(1)对最初诊断的情绪反应，(2)在整个治疗过程中经历的观点和情绪，以及(3)对他人的应对策略和建议。参与者报告了震惊和与他们的诊断不一致。治疗过程中，由于种族定性和保险等困难，让人感到尴尬和沮丧。患者通过信任的人的信任和支持来应对。结论：西班牙裔/拉丁裔直肠癌患者在其癌症历程的多个阶段承受着情绪困扰，包括来自该人群独特来源的情绪困扰。需要在文化和语言上量身定制干预措施，以帮助减轻这种心理负担，并在整个治疗阶段提供积极、协调的支持，以便更好地为患者的生存做好准备。

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来源期刊

Cancer Medicine ONCOLOGY-

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

2.50%

发文量

907

审稿时长

19 weeks

期刊介绍： Cancer Medicine is a peer-reviewed, open access, interdisciplinary journal providing rapid publication of research from global biomedical researchers across the cancer sciences. The journal will consider submissions from all oncologic specialties, including, but not limited to, the following areas: Clinical Cancer Research Translational research ∙ clinical trials ∙ chemotherapy ∙ radiation therapy ∙ surgical therapy ∙ clinical observations ∙ clinical guidelines ∙ genetic consultation ∙ ethical considerations Cancer Biology: Molecular biology ∙ cellular biology ∙ molecular genetics ∙ genomics ∙ immunology ∙ epigenetics ∙ metabolic studies ∙ proteomics ∙ cytopathology ∙ carcinogenesis ∙ drug discovery and delivery. Cancer Prevention: Behavioral science ∙ psychosocial studies ∙ screening ∙ nutrition ∙ epidemiology and prevention ∙ community outreach. Bioinformatics: Gene expressions profiles ∙ gene regulation networks ∙ genome bioinformatics ∙ pathwayanalysis ∙ prognostic biomarkers. Cancer Medicine publishes original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and research methods papers, along with invited editorials and commentaries. Original research papers must report well-conducted research with conclusions supported by the data presented in the paper.