Exploring Hispanic Adults' Experiences with Colorectal Cancer and Chronic Conditions

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., with disproportionately high rates in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory often classified as a Low- and Middle- Income Country (LMIC) due to its high poverty rates and healthcare access challenges. Multimorbidity— the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions—may impact CRC detection, treatment, and outcomes, yet its implications remain poorly understood. This qualitative study explores the experiences of patients with CRC and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) in Puerto Rico. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (n = 14) were conducted with patients diagnosed with CRC who are managing MCC in Puerto Rico. A qualitative analysis used thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes. Recruitment is ongoing. Results: Preliminary analyses show that five participants were female, six were ≤ 65 or older, eight were married, four had primary education, and chronic conditions included hypertension (n=3) and diabetes (n=4). Participants face significant challenges due to MCC alongside cancer, with physical, emotional, and everyday difficulties impacting care and treatment. For example, one participant’s fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue delayed recovery, while another struggled to access timely cancer care due to ongoing issues like gastritis and chronic pain. Many also reported managing chronic conditions such as chronic inflammation and uncontrolled diabetes. One participant expressed difficulty managing diabetes after surgery due to dietary restrictions, complicating their health management. A major theme that emerged was the difficulty in accessing care, with participants frequently citing the scarcity of healthcare providers. One patient shared, “It’s not easy to find doctors here because there aren’t many, and they’re all booked for months.” Participants also noted delays caused by insurance denials, particularly when one patient’s PET scan for stage-four colon cancer was denied despite their doctor’s efforts. These findings highlight the complex and multifaceted barriers—such as delays in care, provider shortages, and insurance hurdles—that participants face in managing both cancer and MCC. Conclusion: These findings underscore the challenges faced by individuals with MCC in Puerto Rico and emphasize the need for tailored healthcare strategies that address both cancer and chronic conditions. Citation Format: Maira A. Castañeda-Avila, Natalia N. Nielsen, Karen J. Ortiz-Ortiz, Kate L. Lapane. Experiences of Hispanic Adults with Colorectal Cancer and Multiple Chronic Conditions [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 64.