Lung cancer Equity Through Social needs Screening (LETS SCREEN)

Social circumstances in which we are born and live are some of the most important factors influencing our health. For people with cancer, these social circumstances (social determinants of health) drive differences in access to cancer screening and diagnostic tests, stage at diagnosis, and the types of treatments they are offered and receive. The treatment options for people living with lung cancer have changed drastically over the last decade with the addition of immunotherapies and targeted drugs. However, these treatments are not accessible to all. The high costs of cancer treatments and time lost from work make people with cancer more vulnerable to financial hardship, that could affect their ability to receive cancer treatments. In this study, we hope to understand how social needs (e.g., food access, ability to pay bills, access to transportation, housing stability, social isolation, and loneliness) relate to the use of healthcare, quality of care patients with lung cancer receive, and quality of life during their treatment. To do this, we will survey 150 patients with unresectable lung cancer within one month of start of systemic treatment and at 3 and 6-months during their treatment. We will measure how social needs change over time and relate to the use of healthcare for acute problems (i.e., emergency room visits, admissions to the hospital, and urgent care visits), quality of life, and quality of care received. To obtain an in-depth understanding of how social needs can affect patient care, we will interview 30 oncology providers. Providers will be asked if and how they consider the social needs of their patients when making treatment and clinical decisions. This study will give us essential information on how to better support patients with lung cancer who face social needs that impact their daily lives and cancer care.