Authors: Michael Rowe, Gina Mancuso, William Kevin Kelly, Greg D. Garber, Elliott Sina, Amy Leader
Published: 2023-06-04
DOI: 10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.e18739
Source: Full article
e18739 Background: Acute food insecurity (FI) is a significant yet poorly understood social risk factor facing cancer patients, with a prevalence greater than that of the general U.S. population. FI poses a particular risk for cancer patients, as FI-induced malnutrition is associated with fatigue, stress, depression, and a weakened immunological response to infection. Legacy of Hope is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA providing emergency support to cancer patients in financial distress. Partnering with local grocery stores to supply the food and local police districts to deliver the groceries, Legacy of Hope receives patient referrals from social workers at cancer centers in Philadelphia to identify patients and families in need. Cancer patients can receive one or more bi-weekly grocery deliveries until their acute FI needs are addressed. Legacy of Hope documents and tracks metrics associated with the patients who are served by the program. Beginning in 2023 is direct participant evaluation of the program, assessing outcomes in acute anxiety, quality of life, and acute FI. Methods: Legacy of Hope receives ongoing referrals from oncology social workers about cancer patients in need. Legacy of Hope documents the cancer diagnosis, age, race/ethnicity, and gender of the cancer patient as well as the size of the household and the number of children living in the house. Additionally, a participant evaluation survey collects data via an online survey at two time points: first, at the time of their grocery delivery and second, two weeks after the delivery. The survey uses validated measures (FACT-G7) to assess changes in quality of life and anxiety, as well as acute FI, over the two-week time period. Standard statistics, including a paired t-test, will evaluate the changes in the outcome measures of interest. Results: Legacy of Hope has served more than 1600 cancer patients representing more than 2000 food deliveries. About half (52.2%) were female and 58% were African American. The mean age was 60 years old. Breast cancer was the most common diagnosis (18%), followed by lung (8%) and colorectal cancer (5%), although almost all cancers are represented in the database. One in five patients (21%) lived alone, but most (45%) had between 2 and 3 persons in their household. Children were present in the home 21% of the time. Data for the participant evaluation survey will be available in Spring 2023. Conclusions: Acute FI is prevalent and devastating for cancer patients, although few resources exist within cancer centers to adequately address it. Legacy of Hope fills this gap through a novel program that leverages sustainable and trusted partnerships with local food distributors, civic organizations, and oncology social work teams at cancer centers throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.