DISP-09. IMPROVING ADHERENCE TO CANCER CARE IN UNDERSERVED PATIENTS WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS

• Published in: Neuro-oncology (Charlottesville, Va.) Vol. 26; no. Supplement_8; p. viii149
• Main Authors: Elshiekh, Cleopatra, Phillips, Ashley, Rodriguez, Ashley, Narang, Bharat, Gany, Francesca, Budhu, Joshua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 11-11-2024
• ISSN: 1522-8517; 1523-5866
• DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae165.0583

Patients with central nervous system tumors have disease-specific symptoms such as aphasias, motor symptoms, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or seizures that make treatment adherence difficult. This is further exacerbated by the social determinants of health – patients from historically marginalized groups or those with lower socioeconomic status have additional barriers to treatment. The Integrated Cancer Care Access Network (ICCAN) is a multi-institutional patient navigation program assisting patients who express socioeconomic needs during cancer treatment. In this pilot program, we assessed the impact of ICCAN on treatment adherence and quality of life of CNS cancer patients from marginalized backgrounds. 42 participants with primary brain tumors or brain metastases were recruited from inpatient and outpatient services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to enroll in ICCAN-CNS. Patients were eligible if they were 18 years or older, receiving active treatment or under active surveillance, and screened positive for an essential need. Through standardized patient interviews and questionnaires, we evaluated their needs such as food access, housing, and financial needs. The clinical research coordinator interviewed the patients via phone, taking approximately 60 minutes. The interviews comprised an Essential Needs Assessment, Health Related Social Needs Assessment, NCCN Distress Thermometer, and an ICCAN-CNS questionnaire focused on neurology-specific symptoms. Caregivers helped complete the questions for patients with cognitive impairments. Patients were then matched with resources based on their initial needs assessment. The interviewer conducted 2, 4, and 6-month follow-ups to see if new needs emerged for which resources were provided. Response to the program was overwhelmingly positive with many patients expressing gratitude for the resources provided to them. This pilot demonstrates the feasibility of CNS tumor patients participating in the ICCAN intervention and the need for additional patient navigation programs and interventions that focus on the social determinants of health.