Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on African American and Latina breast cancer survivors in the DC metro area: A qualitative study

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted breast cancer care, exacerbating disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups. This qualitative study explores the experiences of African American and Latina breast cancer survivors in the Washington, DC, metro area. We conducted semi-structured interviews to examine their experiences during the pandemic and the impact of the pandemic in their wellbeing. We used consensual qualitative analysis to analyze the interviews. Participants ( N = 40) had an average age of 52.23 (SD = 10.15). We identified significant barriers to care, including appointment delays, financial struggles, limited telehealth access, and increased mental health burdens. Many survivors reported heightened stress due to fear of infection, social isolation, and treatment disruptions. Despite these hardships, participants found support through strong community networks, increased spirituality, and adaptive coping strategies. Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions. The insights from our paper help inform policies aimed at improving health equity for minoritized cancer survivors.