Table 1 Interview questions from focus groups conducted in Puerto Rico with breast and colorectal cancer patients

Interruption and continuation of cancer treatments after hurricanes Irma and Maria

How many days after Hurricane Irma and Maria were you able to start or continue your cancer treatment?

Transportation Barriers

What challenges or barriers did you face in reaching the health organization or institution to receive your cancer treatment?

Did you have someone to drive you to your medical appointments?

Communication and coordination of services with doctors and/or health facilities

What challenges or barriers did you face…?

a. reschedule cancer treatments or other services after Hurricanes Irma and María?

b. contact your doctor or any health institution/organization staff for information on the reestablishment of medical services?

c. take or receive lab tests or results?

Physical and emotional stress during hurricanes Irma and María and its impact on the continuation of cancer treatment

Taking into consideration everything that happened with Hurricanes Irma and María, how stressful was your experience?

If you had to choose just one thing, what would be the most stressful thing about Hurricane Maria? Example: Floods, relocating temporarily due to losses at home, poor access to roads, lack of communication, electricity and/or water, limited access to gasoline, loss of your job, etc.

Possibility of not receiving treatment for cancer or receiving it late?

What do you consider to be the most stressful of handling your cancer condition during this period?

Example: Concerned that your health would get worse if your treatment were delayed.

Not having enough medications, not having contact with your doctor, not having means of transportation, changing clinic to continue treatment, etc.

Avoid public places for fear of contracting infections that will worsen your health.