Cancer health disparities stem from complex interactions among socioeconomic, behavioral, and biological factors, disproportionately impacting marginalized racial and ethnic groups. This review aims to synthesize evidence on interventions addressing these disparities in cancer-related healthcare access and clinical outcomes. A comprehensive search of multiple databases identified studies on cancer-related disparities and interventions in adults. Two reviewers followed systematic review guidelines and assessed study quality using a critical appraisal tool.

Out of 7,526 screened studies, 34 met the inclusion criteria, involving 24,134 participants. Most studies focused on breast cancer and Hispanic/Latino populations, mainly from community-based sites. Twenty-one studies examined patient-centered outcomes like health-related quality of life, with five showing positive effects from combining cancer education and psychological support. Fifteen studies assessed process-of-care outcomes, such as timeliness of care, with nine showing positive effects, primarily from navigation-based interventions. This review highlights the importance of community partnerships and the need for standardized intervention approaches and research on diverse demographic groups beyond breast cancer and Hispanic populations.

Reference: Grant SJ, Yanguela J, Odebunmi O, Grimshaw AA, Giri S, Wheeler SB. Systematic Review of Interventions Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care and Health Outcomes. J Clin Oncol. 2024;42(13):1563-1574. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.01290.