A new study has found that older African American and Hispanic men who have survived cancer are far less likely than White men the same age to get follow-up care from a specialist or have basic vaccinations. Interestingly, there were no racial or ethnic differences in post-cancer healthcare between younger male cancer survivors.
The study, led by Wake Forest Medical Center researcher Nynikka Palmer, found that among men over 65:
- Thirty-nine percent of African Americans, 42% of Hispanics, and just 26% of Whites didn’t see a specialist after their bout with cancer.
- Forty percent of blacks and Hispanics did not receive a flu shot, compared with 22% of whites.
- Fifty-one percent of Blacks, 59 percent of Hispanics, and just 29% of Whites didn’t get a pneumonia vaccine.
“Overall, our results suggest that older minority male cancer survivors may need specific support to ensure they receive necessary post-treatment care,” Palmer said in a Wake Forest Baptist news release. This is especially important because, “regular follow-up care is important to monitor for recurrence, new cancers, and late and long-term effects of cancer and its treatment.”
Palmer’s study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.
