BACKGROUND: There is limited research on the unmet needs of Latinos diagnosed with cancer. The literature has focused on symptom assessment and psychological needs for predominantly Caucasian patients. Thus, we have little understanding of the specific needs of immigrant and minority patients.
PURPOSE: This study explores the practical, supportive and informational needs of Latino cancer patients and examines what acculturative variables are associated with these needs.
METHODS: A cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted with Latino cancer patients in cancer centers of New York City. The survey was provided in the patient’s preferred language and focus areas included support service, practical and informational needs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was used for the analyses.
RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety Latino patients participated with a mean age of 55 years (60% females). Twenty-nine per cent of the overall sample described themselves as monolingual in Spanish. Ninety-six per cent of patients reported having unmet needs, with unmet financial (79.3%) need being most prevalent. Only 12% of the patients requested additional information about their diagnosis and treatment. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, the acculturative factors that were independently associated with having unmet practical needs were: being an immigrant with limited English proficiency (LEP) or monolingual, more recent immigration, and requesting interpretation for health care. The same acculturative variables predicted lower informational needs. Support needs were not predicted by the acculturative factors.
IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of unmet needs among Latino cancer patients is substantially high. More recent Latino immigrants with limited English proficiency are in need of additional practical support. Further studies should focus on identifying why these patients do not express a need for informational services. Patients may benefit from psychoeducational interventions that aim to empower patients to take a more active role and request more information about their disease and treatment.