Health-related quality of life of food-insecure ethnic minority patients with cancer Journal Article


Authors: Gany, F.; Leng, J.; Ramirez, J.; Phillips, S.; Aragones, A.; Roberts, N.; Mujawar, M. I.; Costas-Muñiz, R.
Article Title: Health-related quality of life of food-insecure ethnic minority patients with cancer
Abstract: Purpose: The association between food insecurity and health-related quality of life (QOL) of racial/ethnic minority patients with cancer has not been examined. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between food insecurity and health-related QOL reported by racial/ethnic minority patients with cancer. Methods: A consecutive sample of 1, 390 underserved ethnic minority patients receiving cancer care in 10 cancer clinics and hospitals in New York City participated in this study. Health-related QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and food security was assessed by the US Department of Agriculture Core Food Security Module. Results: Of the 1, 390 patients, 581 (41.8%) were classified as food secure, 571 (41.1%) with low food security, and 238 (17.1%) with very low food security. Health-related QOL decreased with each lower food security level. Patient self-reported physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being subscale scores decrease significantly with increasing food insecurity. After controlling for demographic and medical-related factors, the decreases in QOL, physical, functional, social and emotional well-being scores with increasing food insecurity remained significant. Conclusion: Food insecurity was associated with lower QOL in this sample of underserved racial/ethnic minority patients with cancer. Underserved ethnic minority patients diagnosed with cancer are a vulnerable patient population, at significant risk for inadequate food access and the related lower QOL. Copyright © 2015 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Keywords: human tissue; functional assessment; major clinical study; cancer susceptibility; quality of life; cancer therapy; hospital; diagnosis; new york; ethnic group; wellbeing; agriculture; food security; human; food insecurity
Journal Title: Journal of Oncology Practice
Volume: 11
Issue: 5
ISSN: 1554-7477
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2015-09-01
Start Page: 396
End Page: 402
Language: English
DOI: 10.1200/jop.2015.003962
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4575404
PUBMED: 26286100
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Jennifer Chung Foung Leng
    78 Leng
  2. Francesca Mara Gany
    216 Gany
  3. Julia M Ramirez
    39 Ramirez
  4. Nicole S Roberts
    18 Roberts
  5. Mohammed Imran   Mujawar
    11 Mujawar