Abstract PS1-02-15: The influence of non-medical drivers of health on quality of life among Hispanic/Latina breast and cervical cancer survivors

Abstract Background: Hispanic/Latina (H/L) women in medically underrepresented regions, such as South Texas, face substantial disparities in cancer survivorship, including reduced quality of life (QOL) and inadequate supportive care access. Despite growing recognition of the role of non-medical determinants of health (NMDoH) - including financial strain, transportation barriers, and limited social support - few studies have quantitatively assessed their combined impact on survivorship outcomes among H/L breast and cervical cancer survivors. Objective: This study examined how various NMDoH factors predict QOL in breast and cervical cancer survivors participating in Avanzando Caminos, a large NCI-funded cohort study investigating social, cultural, behavioral, and medical influences on Hispanic/Latino cancer survivorship. Methods: Baseline data were analyzed from 170 H/L women who had completed treatment for breast or cervical cancer within the last decade. NMDoH were assessed by cross-referencing Avanzando Caminos data with items from the Avanzando Salud Center NMDoH Screener—an instrument developed by the Center to investigate NMDoH in STX—measuring financial hardship, transportation needs, physical activity, healthcare access, and social support. QOL was evaluated using cancer site-specific Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scales: FACT-B for breast cancer and FACT-Cx for cervical cancer survivors. Multivariable linear regressions estimated associations between NMDoH factors and QOL, controlling for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Results: Financial hardship emerged as a significant predictor of lower QOL across both cancer types (breast: β = -3.41; cervical: β = -8.65; p < 0.05). Among cervical cancer survivors, greater comorbidity burden also predicted reduced QOL (β = -4.49; p < 0.01). In breast cancer survivors, engagement in vigorous exercise was associated with higher QOL scores (β = 4.85; p < 0.05). Although similar trends were observed among cervical cancer survivors, smaller sample size limited statistical significance. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that unmet NMDoH needs, particularly financial strain and comorbid conditions, adversely impact QOL among H/L cancer survivors. Tailored, culturally informed interventions addressing these social and economic challenges - such as patient navigation and community health worker models - are essential for improving survivorship experiences. Incorporating systematic NMDoH screening into survivorship care planning may enhance supportive service provision and optimize long-term health outcomes in this population. Citation Format: D. Rodriguez, P. Chalela, Y. Lew, N. Rodriguez, J. Ramos, J. Cardenas, C. Carmona, E. Munoz, B. Choi, C. Wang, Y. Manresa, M. Hernandez Krause, D. Perdomo, A. Natori, S. Cole, F. Penedo, A. Ramirez. The influence of non-medical drivers of health on quality of life among Hispanic/Latina breast and cervical cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS1-02-15.