biostudies-literaturePisu MNIMHD NIH HHSNational Cancer InstituteNCI NIH HHSNational Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparitiese71105https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12308909biostudies-literatureUnknown14(15)<h4>Introduction</h4>Affordability is an access to care domain contributing to disparities in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer outcomes and care, including surgical care. Affordability challenges for GI cancer care in socioeconomically disadvantaged and diverse states of the southern United States are unknown: this paper addresses this knowledge gap.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted semi-structured interviews with 32 providers (13 surgeons and 19 other) and 36 survivors (53% colorectal, 19% pancreatic, and 28% esophageal cancer) in Alabama and Mississippi. Questions were about barriers and facilitators to surgical care along five domains, including affordability, that is, the relationship between health care costs, patients' income, health insurance coverage, and the resulting ability to afford carCancer medicineProviders' and Survivors' Perspectives on Affordability Challenges for Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment in Two Low Socioeconomic Status States of the Southern United States.PMC12308909R01MD013858P30CA013148Morgan JHerbey IIWilliams CPSmith BPOslock WMSchoenberger YMChu DIPisu MEnglish NCJones BAIvankova NVfalseProviders' and Survivors' Perspectives on Affordability Challenges for Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment in Two Low Socioeconomic Status States of the Southern United States.<h4>Introduction</h4>Affordability is an access to care domain contributing to disparities in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer outcomes and care, including surgical care. Affordability challenges for GI cancer care in socioeconomically disadvantaged and diverse states of the southern United States are unknown: this paper addresses this knowledge gap.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted semi-structured interviews with 32 providers (13 surgeons and 19 other) and 36 survivors (53% colorectal, 19% pancreatic, and 28% esophageal cancer) in Alabama and Mississippi. Questions were about barriers and facilitators to surgical care along five domains, including affordability, that is, the relationship between health care costs, patients' income, health insurance coverage, and the resulting ability to afford car2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-03-16T05:52:27.966Z2025-08-14T03:06:19.241ZS-EPMC123089094073625810.1002/cam4.71105