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Review
. 2025 Mar 22;17(7):1067.
doi: 10.3390/cancers17071067.

From Diagnosis to Survivorship: The Role of Social Determinants in Cancer Care

Abiha Abdullah  1 , Zeyu Liu  2 , Michele Molinari  1
Affiliations
Review

From Diagnosis to Survivorship: The Role of Social Determinants in Cancer Care

Abiha Abdullah et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Social determinants of health (SDOH) profoundly influence cancer outcomes. Disparities in these areas contribute to delayed diagnoses, limited access to advanced treatments, and poorer survival rates, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations. While advancements in cancer care have improved survival, these benefits remain unevenly distributed. This review examines the impact of SDOH on cancer care across multiple domains. It highlights the ways in which structural barriers exacerbate disparities in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Evidence-based interventions, including Medicaid expansion, culturally tailored patient navigation programs, increased diversity in clinical trials, telemedicine expansion, and the integration of SDOH screening into oncology workflows-offer promising strategies for addressing these inequities. By integrating these strategies into clinical practice and health policy, the healthcare system can foster a more just and inclusive future for cancer treatment and survivorship.

Keywords: cancer care interventions; cancer disparities; health equity; oncology access; social determinants of health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Social determinants of health in cancer care.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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