Cosby Zaria N, Howland Julian P, Brown Eleanor, Carpenter Lucas K, Davis-Lopez Kristen M, Kim Min Young, Castañeda Patricia, Gonzalez Maria, Hernandez Miriam T, Duron Ysabel, Rodriguez Gladys M, Zaky Sandra S, Morris Arden M, Dawes Aaron J
Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center, Stanford, California, USA.
Cancer Med. 2025 Sep;14(18):e71253. doi: 10.1002/cam4.71253.
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.
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.
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.
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.
癌症确诊后心理困扰会增加。然而，自认为是西班牙裔/拉丁裔的患者在确诊后接受心理健康护理的可能性低于白人患者，这使他们面临心理调适不良的风险。母研究的目标是描述自认为是西班牙裔/拉丁裔的直肠癌患者的治疗经历。这项定性二次分析专门探讨了患者的情感和心理体验。
我们与当地社区卫生工作者合作，从加利福尼亚州的湾区和中央谷地招募自认为是西班牙裔/拉丁裔的直肠癌患者及其护理人员。根据患者的偏好，以西班牙语或英语进行了半结构化访谈（n = 21）。使用反思性分析确定了初始主题。几乎在所有访谈中都发现了困扰的经历，这促使我们使用定向内容分析进行这项定性二次分析。
我们确定了三个主要主题：（1）对初始诊断的情绪反应，（2）整个治疗过程中经历的观点和情绪，以及（3）应对策略和给他人的建议。参与者报告了对诊断的震惊和不一致感。治疗过程因种族定性和保险等困难而导致尴尬和沮丧的情绪。患者通过信仰和来自可信赖个人的支持来应对。
自认为是西班牙裔/拉丁裔的直肠癌患者在其癌症治疗过程的多个阶段都承受着情感困扰，包括来自该人群特有的来源。需要文化和语言上量身定制的干预措施，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，以便更好地让患者为生存做好准备。
