The Relationship Between Medical Mistrust and Compliancy with Follow-Up Care in Black and Latinx Breast Cancer Survivors
Zobaida Maria1, Megan R. Wirtz1,2, BA, Maiya E. Hotchkiss1, BA, Zeba N. Ahmad1,2, EdM, MA, & Jennifer S. Ford1, PhD
1Hunter College, City University of New York
2The Graduate Center, City University of New York
Introduction: There are over 633,000 young adult (YA) cancer survivors in the US, a number that is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years. Follow-up care is critical to a successful transition post-treatment as it regulates tests and treatments that survivors will have to undergo to maintain their health. Medical mistrust may be one reason for follow-up non-adherence. By understanding the relationship, researchers and clinicians alike can work to reduce racial disparities in cancer survival rates.
Methods: This sub-analysis stems from a larger study wherein twenty-six female breast cancer survivors, aged 26-41, participated in an online survey assessing family-building practices. Participants included ten Latina women, nine Black women, and seven multiracial women, who all completed the Medical Mistrust Index. Correlation tests were conducted to assess the relationship between medical mistrust and follow-up care.
Results: Most patients reported seeking general follow-up care annually (46.2%) and cancer-specific care when needed (42.3%). Researchers found a significant positive correlation between medical mistrust and general follow-up care (r(23) = 0.480, p = 0.015), indicating that higher levels of medical mistrust were associated with increased compliance with general follow-up care.
Conclusion: Participants with greater medical mistrust reported greater compliance with general follow-up care. This finding contradicts previous research that has indicated that greater mistrust would result in greater non-compliance. Future studies should explore the source of medical mistrust, any confounding variables, and the race/ethnicity of providers to better understand the impact on survivors of different backgrounds.
