Background: Cancer survivors (defined as individuals from diagnosis to the end of life) in treatment experience multiple physical and psychological symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, disturbed sleep) that influence their well-being and treatment outcomes. Underrepresented cancer survivors may disproportionately experience greater symptom burden (number of symptoms, symptom severity, depression, anxiety). Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of social determinants of health, including age, ethnicity, education, income and whether income meets the survivor's needs, neighborhood (rural vs. urban), access to healthcare (e.g., insurance), and social isolation, with symptom burden in cancer survivors. Methods: This secondary analysis included baseline data from 400 cancer survivors of solid tumor cancers undergoing chemotherapy or targeted therapy who participated in a larger randomized trial of symptom management interventions. Symptom burden was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression scale for depression and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scores for anxiety and social isolation, summed severity index of 16 symptoms from the General Symptom Distress Scale, and the total number of symptoms. Self-reported comorbid conditions were measured using the Bayliss tool. General linear models were used to relate symptom measures (one at a time) to age, number of comorbid conditions, level of education, marital status, income meeting needs, and size of metropolitan neighborhood. Additional covariates included site of cancer, its treatment, and whether the cancer was metastatic. Results: Non-Hispanic White survivors (n = 191) were older and had more comorbid conditions, a higher proportion of metastatic cancers, and higher levels of education and income compared with Hispanic survivors (n = 168) and non-Hispanic survivors of other races (n = 41). Compared with the other two groups, Hispanic survivors had the lowest rate of health insurance availability, and non-Hispanic survivors of other races had the lowest social isolation. Age, number of comorbid conditions, and social isolation were significantly associated with number of symptoms, symptom severity, and depression. Age and social isolation were associated with anxiety. In addition, the symptom severity of non-Hispanic White survivors was lower than that of Hispanic survivors and non-Hispanic survivors of other races. Discussion: These findings highlight the health disparities in symptom burden experienced among cancer survivors when considering their social determinants of health. Assessing these may help clinicians address health disparities in cancer care.

Background: Automated voice response (AVR) systems have been used to collect patient-reported outcome data. Mode of administration of the assessment may affect patient reporting. Objective: To evaluate if there is a differential reporting of symptoms by the mode of assessment: AVR versus a live telephone interview among cancer patients with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy. Research Design: Randomized clinical trial comparing a nurse-assisted symptom management with an automated telephone symptom management. After completing intake telephone interview administered by a person, patients were randomized to either nurse arm or AVR arm to receive a 6-contact 8-week symptom management intervention. Patients in the nurse arm were called by specially trained nurses, and patients in the AVR arm were contacted via automated system to assess their symptoms and deliver symptom management strategies. Subjects: Two hundred patients in nurse arm, and 186 patients in the AVR arm completed the first intervention contact. Measures: Severities of 14 cancer-related symptoms were rated by patients at intake interview and at first intervention contact before the receipt of any interventions. Results: When compared with patients contacted by a nurse, patients contacted by the AVR reported higher severity of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, constipation, diarrhea, pain, and alopecia controlling for prior intake symptom assessment that was free of mode effect. Symptom reporting varied by age, with the oldest group of patients reporting higher severity to the nurse. Conclusion: Mode effect needs to be considered in designing trials for symptom management and in symptom monitoring in clinical practice.