Going through adverse life events can help a person learn how to cope with life’s challenges, overcome them, learn from the adverse experiences, grow, and be positively transformed by them. Spirituality is a resource that supports adaptation and resilience to improve quality of life in patients with cancer or other chronic illnesses. For Latinos, spirituality is an important core cultural value. As such, it is crucial to pay close attention to how cultural values play a role in health-related concerns when caring for Latino cancer patients, and to how spirituality, being an important aspect of Latino culture, influences how Latinos adjust and cope with cancer. Understanding how to facilitate resilience in the face of potentially negative life events, such as cancer, can not only help Latino cancer patients in active treatment, but can also impact effectiveness of managing and coping with the consequences of cancer during survivorship.

Background This study examined the use of psychosocial services (i.e. social work, psychiatric, psychological, and spiritual/pastoral services) among Latina and Non-Latina White breast cancer survivors. Methods Survivors who received treatment in a Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York completed a mailed questionnaire about interest in help for distress, and psychosocial service use. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were used to explore ethnic differences in use of, and interest in, psychosocial services. Results Thirty three percent of breast cancer survivors reported needing mental health or psychosocial services after their cancer diagnosis (33% Latinas, 34% Whites); 34% of survivors discussed with their oncologist or cancer care provider their emotional problems or needs after the diagnosis (30% Latinas, 36% Whites). Only 40% of the survivors who reported needing services received a referral for psychosocial services (42% Latinas, 39% Whites). Sixty six percent of survivors who reported needing services had contact with a counselor or mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker) after their diagnosis (57% Latinas, 71% Whites), and 61% of those needing services reported receiving psychosocial services (53% Latinas, 67% Whites). Whites were significantly more likely than Latinas to have contact with a social worker (33% vs. 17%, respectively) and to receive psychotropic medication (15% vs. 0%, respectively). However, Latinas were significantly more likely to receive spiritual counseling than Whites (11% vs. 3%, respectively). Conclusion Our study revealed gaps for both groups; however, the gaps differed by group. It is crucial to study and address potential differences in the psychosocial services availability, acceptability and help-seeking behaviors of ethnically diverse cancer patients and survivors.

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Objective: This study compares barriers to psychosocial services use between Latina and non Latina White survivors after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer and examines the association of these barriers with use of psychosocial services. Methods:A sample of 265 Latina and non-Latina White survivors who received treatment in a comprehensive cancer center in New York City completed a mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire measured quality of life, interest in help for distress, psychosocial services use, and barriers to use of psychosocial services. Bivariate and adjusted logistic regression models were conducted analyze the data.Results: More than half of the sample reported preferring to return to their normal routine, felt that they could take care of their emotional problems themselves, and preferred to seek support from their family or friends. Latinas were more likely to seek counseling from a spiritual leader and report that there are no counselors who speak their language and understand their values or background and that mental health services are too expensive. Conclusions:It is crucial to study and address potential barriers that contribute to health disparities and discrepancies in patient's access and use of psychosocial healthcare.Findings highlight the need to educate providers about patients' psychosocial needs; patients need to receive information about the benefits of psychosocial and mental health services, to normalize mental health service use and diminish stigma. Finally, culturally and linguistic sensitive services for Latina patients are warranted.