Excess risk of chronic health conditions in Black adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Background: The US population of adolescent and young adult (age 15–39 years at diagnosis) cancer survivors is growing. Previous studies have identified racial and ethnic disparities in survival and health outcomes in racially minoritized survivors, including Black survivors, compared with White survivors. However, comparisons should be made between those of the same race or ethnicity with and without a history of AYA cancer to fully understand the association of a cancer diagnosis with socioeconomic status (SES) and health outcomes within a minoritized population. Methods: Non-Hispanic Black AYA cancer survivors and non-Hispanic Black age- and sex-matched controls were identified from self-reported data from the National Health Interview Survey (2009–2018). SES factors and chronic health conditions prevalence were compared between survivors and controls using chi-square tests. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to determine odds of chronic conditions by SES factors within and between survivors and controls. Interactions between each variable and cancer group were assessed. Results: A total of 445 survivors and 4450 controls were included. Survivors were less likely than controls to be married, have family income >45K/year, have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, and have private insurance. Survivors had higher odds than controls of having at least one (odds ratio (OR): 7.02, p<0.001) and ≥3 (OR: 4.44, p<0.001) chronic conditions. Survivors had higher odds of each chronic condition assessed including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Survivors had higher odds of having chronic health conditions compared with controls across all SES variables. Conclusions: A cancer diagnosis during adolescence and young adulthood is associated with poor SES outcomes and increased odds of comorbidities within the Black population, thus further exacerbating existing disparities. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Black AYA cancer survivors have a very high risk of developing chronic health conditions after cancer treatment and interventions are needed to improve long-term health outcomes for this population.