Key clinical point: Assessment of cumulative social risk can help identify patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) at higher risk of omitting chemotherapy for nonclinical reasons. Systematic assessment of patients for social risk and a more holistic support program may encourage such patients to undergo their recommended chemotherapy regimen.
Major finding: Compared with participants with 0 social risk factors, those with 3 (odds ratio [OR], 0.48; P = .02) or more (6 or more; OR, 0.22; P = .001) risk factors were significantly less likely to receive planned chemotherapy. Those who reported 2 (OR, 3.05; P = .007) or more (6 or more sources; OR, 5.95; P less than .001) sources of social support were more likely to receive chemotherapy than participants with no social support.
Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 1,087 adults diagnosed with stage III CRC.
Disclosures: The study was supported by a research scholar grant from the American Cancer Society. Dr. Abrahamse, Dr. Kato, and Dr. Ward reported receiving grants from various sources.
Source: Davis RE et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Jun 1. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.13533 .