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Cancer Treatment Disruption by Residence Region in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María in Puerto Rico

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Muñoz-Torres

    (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

  • Marievelisse Soto-Salgado

    (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

  • Karen J. Ortiz-Ortiz

    (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
    Department of Health Services Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

  • Xavier S. López-León

    (Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

  • Yara Sánchez-Cabrera

    (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

  • Vivian Colón-López

    (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
    Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00936, USA)

Abstract

Since 2017, Puerto Rico has faced environmental, economic, and political crises, leading to the emigration of healthcare workers and weakening the healthcare system. These challenges have affected cancer treatment continuity, exacerbating healthcare access challenges island-wide. In this study, we estimate the effect of the residence region on cancer treatment disruption following Hurricanes Irma and María (2017). Telephone surveys were conducted with 241 breast and colorectal cancer patients aged 40 and older who were diagnosed within six months before the hurricanes and were receiving treatment at the time of the hurricanes. Treatment disruption was defined as any pause in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or oral treatment due to the hurricanes. Prevalence ratios (PRs) of treatment disruption by residence region were estimated using the San Juan Metropolitan Area (SJMA) as the reference. Fifty-nine percent of respondents reported treatment disruption; among them, half experienced disruptions lasting more than 30 days, with 14% of these enduring disruptions longer than 90 days. Adjusted models showed a 48% higher prevalence of disruption outside the SJMA (PR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06–2.07). Specific geographic regions (Arecibo, Bayamón, Caguas, and Mayagüez) exhibited higher disruption prevalence. These findings emphasize the need for disaster preparedness strategies that ensure equitable healthcare access for all cancer patients following environmental calamities.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Muñoz-Torres & Marievelisse Soto-Salgado & Karen J. Ortiz-Ortiz & Xavier S. López-León & Yara Sánchez-Cabrera & Vivian Colón-López, 2024. "Cancer Treatment Disruption by Residence Region in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María in Puerto Rico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:10:p:1334-:d:1494383
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vivian Colón-López & Héctor M. Contreras-Mora & Cynthia M. Pérez & Hérmilis Berríos-Ortiz & Carola T. Sánchez-Díaz & Orville M. Disdier & Nilda Ríos-Morales & Erick L. Suárez-Pérez, 2023. "Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening Utilization after Hurricane María and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Puerto Rico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-14, October.
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