Equitable access to cancer services

Patterns of Cancer-Related Healthcare Access across Pennsylvania: Analysis of Novel Census Tract-Level Indicators of Persistent Poverty

BACKGROUND

Persistent poverty census tracts have had ≥20% of the population living below the federal poverty line for 30+ years. We assessed the relationship between persistent poverty and cancer-related healthcare access across census tracts in Pennsylvania.

METHODS

We gathered publicly available census tract-level data on persistent poverty, rurality, and sociodemographic variables, as well as potential access to healthcare (i.e., prevalence of health insurance, last-year check-up), realized access to healthcare (i.e., prevalence of screening for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers), and self-reported cancer diagnosis. We used multivariable spatial regression models to assess the relationships between persistent poverty and each healthcare access indicator.

RESULTS

Among Pennsylvania's census tracts, 2,789 (89.8%) were classified as non-persistent poverty, and 316 (10.2%) were classified as persistent poverty (113 did not have valid data on persistent poverty). Persistent poverty tracts had lower prevalence of health insurance [estimate = -1.70, standard error (SE) = 0.10], screening for cervical cancer (estimate = -4.00, SE = 0.17) and colorectal cancer (estimate = -3.13, SE = 0.20), and cancer diagnosis (estimate = -0.34, SE = 0.05), compared with non-persistent poverty tracts (all P < 0.001). However, persistent poverty tracts had higher prevalence of last-year check-up (estimate = 0.22, SE = 0.08) and screening for breast cancer (estimate = 0.56, SE = 0.15; both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Relationships between persistent poverty and cancer-related healthcare access outcomes differed in direction and magnitude. Health promotion interventions should leverage data at fine-grained geographic units (e.g., census tracts) to motivate focus on communities or outcomes.

IMPACT

Future studies should extend these analyses to other states and outcomes to inform public health research and interventions to reduce geographic disparities.

Guideline concordant care for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer by disaggregated Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander groups: A National Cancer Database Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Despite the within-group heterogeneity, Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) patients are often grouped together. We compared the patterns of guideline-concordant care for locally advanced cervical cancer for disaggregated AA and NH/PI patients.

METHODS

Patients with stage II-IVA cervical cancer between 2004 and 2020 were identified from the National Cancer Database. AA patients were disaggregated as East Asian (EA), South Asian (SA), and Southeast Asian (SEA). NH/PI patients were classified as a distinct racial subgroup. The primary outcome was the proportion undergoing guideline-concordant care, defined by radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy, brachytherapy, and completion of treatment within eight weeks.

RESULTS

Of 48,116 patients, 2107 (4%) were AA and 171 (<1%) were NH/PI. Of the AA patients, 36% were SEA, 31% were EA, 12% were SA, and 21% could not be further disaggregated due to missing or unknown data. NH/PI patients were more likely to be diagnosed at an early age (53% NH/PI vs. 30% AA, p < 0.001) and have higher rates of comorbidities (18% NH/PI vs. 14% AA, p < 0.001). Within the AA subgroups, only 82% of SEA patients received concurrent chemotherapy compared to 91% of SA patients (p = 0.026). SA patients had the longest median OS (158 months) within the AA subgroups compared to SEA patients (113 months, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Disparities exist in the receipt of standard of care treatment for cervical cancer by racial and ethnic subgroups. It is imperative to disaggregate race and ethnicity data to understand potential differences in care and tailor interventions to achieve health equity.

Using IT to Improve Outcomes for Children Living With Cancer (SyMon-SAYS): Protocol for a Single-Institution Waitlist Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Children and adolescents with cancer may experience multiple disease- and treatment-related symptoms that negatively affect health-related quality of life. Routine symptom surveillance thus constitutes an important component of supportive care in pediatric oncology. The Symptom Monitoring and Systematic Assessment and Reporting System in Young Survivors (SyMon-SAYS) system will administer, score, interpret, and display the results of symptom assessments captured weekly using patient-reported outcomes presented via the electronic health record (EHR) portal between clinic visits in oncology ambulatory settings, when patients are likely to be more symptomatic. This study is testing a digital system for routine symptom surveillance that includes EHR-based reports to clinicians and alerts for severe symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

In this randomized trial, we are examining the effects of the SyMon-SAYS system on perceived barriers to symptom management, self-efficacy, and symptom severity. Better self-management and timely clinical intervention to address symptoms promote adherence to treatment plans, strengthen child and parent self-efficacy, improve interactions between children, parents, and their clinical providers, and optimize clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The SyMon-SAYS system is integrated into the EHR to streamline the presentation of symptom scores and delivery of alerts for severe symptoms to clinicians using EHR (Epic) messaging functionalities. Children (aged 8 to 17 years) complete the weekly symptom assessment and review the symptom report by logging into the patient portal (Epic MyChart). This single-institution waitlist randomized controlled trial is recruiting 200 children (aged 8-17 years) with cancer and their parents, guardians, or caregivers. Participating dyads are randomly assigned to receive the intervention over 16 weeks (Group A: 16-week SyMon-SAYS intervention; Group B: 8-week usual care and then an 8-week SyMon-SAYS intervention). Analyses will (1) evaluate the efficacy of SyMon-SAYS at week 8 and the maintenance of those effects at week 16; (2) evaluate factors associated with those efficacy outcomes, including contextual factors, adherence to the SyMon-SAYS intervention, demographic characteristics, and clinical factors; and (3) evaluate predictors of adherence to the SyMon-SAYS intervention and preference of SyMon-SAYS versus usual care.

RESULTS

Data collection is currently in progress. We hypothesize that at 8 weeks, those receiving the SyMon-SAYS intervention will report decreased parent-perceived barriers to managing their children's symptoms, increased parent and child self-efficacy, decreased child symptom burden, and ultimately better child health-related quality of life, compared to waitlist controls. Feasibility, acceptability, and engagement from the perspectives of the children with cancer, their parents, and their clinicians will be examined using mixed methods.

CONCLUSIONS

We anticipate that this system will facilitate prompt identification of problematic symptoms. Additionally, we hypothesize that with the availability of graphical symptom reports over time, and timely provider responses, children or parents will become better informed and take an active role in managing their symptoms, which will further improve clinical outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04789720; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04789720.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/50993.

Proximity to Radiotherapy Center, Population, Average Income, and Health Insurance Status as Predictors of Cancer Mortality at the County Level in the United States

PURPOSE

Sufficient radiotherapy (RT) capacity is essential to delivery of high-quality cancer care. However, despite sufficient capacity, universal access is not always possible in high-income countries because of factors beyond the commonly used parameter of machines per million people. This study assesses the barriers to RT in a high-income country and how these affect cancer mortality.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used US county-level data obtained from Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the International Atomic Energy Agency Directory of Radiotherapy Centres. RT facilities in the United States were mapped using Geographic Information Systems software. Univariate analysis was used to identify whether distance to a RT center or various socioeconomic factors were predictive of all-cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR). Significant variables (P ≤ .05) on univariate analysis were included in a step-wise backward elimination method of multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-one percent of US counties have at least one RT facility and 8.3% have five or more. The median linear distance from a county's centroid to the nearest RT center was 36 km, and the median county all-cancer MIR was 0.37. The amount of RT centers, linear accelerators, and brachytherapy units per 1 million people were associated with all-cancer MIR (P < .05). Greater distance to RT facilities, lower county population, lower average income per county, and higher proportion of patients without health insurance were associated with increased all-cancer MIR (R-squared, 0.2113; F, 94.22; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

This analysis used unique high-quality data sets to identify significant barriers to RT access that correspond to higher cancer mortality at the county level. Geographic access, personal income, and insurance status all contribute to these concerning disparities. Efforts to address these barriers are needed.

The role of social cohesion in explaining rural/urban differences in healthcare access and health status among older adults in the mid-Atlantic United States

Social cohesion can influence health. It is higher among rural versus urban residents, but the burden of chronic disease is higher in rural communities. We examined the role of social cohesion in explaining rural/urban differences in healthcare access and health status. Rural (n = 1080) and urban (n = 1846) adults (ages 50+) from seven mid-Atlantic U.S. states completed an online, cross-sectional survey on social cohesion and health. We conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses to evaluate the relationships of rurality and social cohesion with healthcare access and health status. Rural participants had higher social cohesion scores than did urban participants (rural: mean = 61.7, standard error[SE] = 0.40; urban: mean = 60.6, SE = 0.35; adjusted beta = 1.45, SE = 0.54, p < .01). Higher social cohesion was associated with greater healthcare access: last-year check-up: adjusted odds ratio[aOR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval[CI] = 1.17-1.33; having a personal provider: aOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.18; and being up-to-date with CRC screening: aOR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.10-1.25. In addition, higher social cohesion was associated with improved health status: higher mental health scores (adjusted beta = 1.03, SE = 0.15, p < .001) and lower body mass index (BMI; beta = -0.26, SE = 0.10, p = .01). Compared to urban participants, rural participants were less likely to have a personal provider, had lower physical and mental health scores, and had higher BMI. Paradoxically, rural residents had higher social cohesion but generally poorer health outcomes than did urban residents, even though higher social cohesion is associated with better health. These findings have implications for research and policy to promote social cohesion and health, particularly for health promotion interventions to reduce disparities experienced by rural residents.

Physician Views on the Provision of Information on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy to Patients with Cancer and Pre-Existing Autoimmune Disease: A Qualitative Study

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer outcomes but can cause severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and flares of autoimmune conditions in cancer patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease. The objective of this study was to identify the information physicians perceived as most useful for these patients when discussing treatment initiation with ICIs. Twenty physicians at a cancer institution with experience in the treatment of irAEs were interviewed. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed to organize and interpret data. The physicians were 11 medical oncologists and 9 non-oncology specialists. The following themes were identified: (1) current methods used by physicians to provide information to patients and delivery options; (2) factors to make decisions about whether or not to start ICIs in patients who have cancer and pre-existing autoimmune conditions; (3) learning points for patients to understand; (4) preferences for the delivery of ICI information; and (5) barriers to the implementation of ICI information in clinics. Regarding points to discuss with patients, physicians agreed that the benefits of ICIs, the probability of irAEs, and risks of underlying autoimmune condition flares with the use of ICIs were most important. Non-oncologists were additionally concerned about how ICIs affect the autoimmune disease (e.g., impact on disease activity, need for changes in medications for the autoimmune disease, and monitoring of autoimmune conditions).

Geographical Disparities and Patients' Mobility: A Plea for Regionalization of Pancreatic Surgery in Italy

Patients requiring complex treatments, such as pancreatic surgery, may need to travel long distances and spend extended periods of time away from home, particularly when healthcare provision is geographically dispersed. This raises concerns about equal access to care. Italy is administratively divided into 21 separate territories, which are heterogeneous in terms of healthcare quality, with provision generally decreasing from north to south. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of adequate facilities for pancreatic surgery, quantify the phenomenon of long-distance mobility for pancreatic resections, and measure its effect on operative mortality. Data refer to patients undergoing pancreatic resections (in the period 2014-2016). The assessment of adequate facilities for pancreatic surgery, based on volume and outcome, confirmed the inhomogeneous distribution throughout Italy. The migration rate from Southern and Central Italy was 40.3% and 14.6%, respectively, with patients mainly directed towards high-volume centers in Northern Italy. Adjusted mortality for non-migrating patients receiving surgery in Southern and Central Italy was significantly higher than that for migrating patients. Adjusted mortality varied greatly among regions, ranging from 3.2% to 16.4%. Overall, this study highlights the urgent need to address the geographical disparities in pancreatic surgery provision in Italy and ensure equal access to care for all patients.

Burden of Care for Patients With In-Transit Melanoma

INTRODUCTION

Patient burden of cancer care can be significant, especially for cancers like melanoma where patients are living longer, even with advanced disease. The purpose of this study is to compare the burden of treatment of melanoma patients with in-transit metastases (ITM). There are multiple treatment options for ITM, but no standard due to lack of large cohort comparative studies; thus, the anticipated burden of care may influence therapy choice.

METHODS

Included patients had in-transit melanoma without distant metastasis and were managed at our institution from July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2020 using a combination of surgery, systemic, intralesional, and radiation therapy. We compared treatment burden, (number of treatments, clinic visits, inpatient hospital days, and distance traveled) and response rates using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-squared tests. Recurrence-free survival and estimated charges were exploratory endpoints.

RESULTS

There were 42 patients who met the inclusion criteria. As initial treatment, patients had surgery (n = 20), surgery with adjuvant (n = 6), systemic (n = 9), and intralesional therapy (n = 2). Surgery had the lowest treatment burden (median of 1 treatment, 3 clinic visits, and 0 inpatient days) while surgery with adjuvant systemic therapy had the highest burden (median of 13 treatments, 12 clinic visits, and 0 inpatient days). Systemic, intralesional, and radiation therapy were used more often for recurrent ITM. Travel distance (P = 0.88) and response rates did not statistically differ between the four options for first line therapy (P = 0.99). At a median follow-up time of 8.8 mo, 22 (52%) of the cohort required more than 1 therapy to manage recurrent or progressive disease and 14 (33%) progressed to distant disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of in-transit melanoma is associated with high burden of care and often requires multiple therapies, even with maximally effective first treatment choice. Factors evaluated in this study may be used to set expectations of treatment course for newly diagnosed patients and may aid in patients' decisions on therapy selection.

Impact of Comprehensive Health Insurance on Quality of Life in Low-Income Hispanic Men with Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the transition from IMPACT, a disease-focused treatment program, to comprehensive health insurance under Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on general and prostate cancer-specific quality of life (QoL) on a cohort of previously uninsured low-income men. We hypothesize that general QoL would improve and prostate cancer-specific QoL would remain the same after the transition to comprehensive health insurance.

METHODS

We assessed and compared general QoL using the RAND SF-12v2™ (12-Item Short Form Survey, version 2) and prostate cancer-specific QoL using the UCLA PCI (Prostate Cancer Index) one year before, at, and one year after the transition between 30 men who transitioned to comprehensive insurance (newly insured/Medicaid group) and 54 men who remained in the prostate cancer program (uninsured/IMPACT group). We assessed the independent effects of Medicaid coverage on QoL outcomes using repeated-measures regression.

RESULTS

Our cohort was composed primarily of Hispanic men (82%). At transition, patient demographics and clinical characteristics were similar between the groups. General and prostate cancer-specific QoL did not differ between the groups and remained stable over time, Radical prostatectomy as primary treatment and shorter time since treatment were associated with worse urinary and sexual function across both groups and over all three time points.

CONCLUSION

Those who transitioned to full-scope insurance and those who remained in the free prostate cancer-focused treatment program had stable general and prostate cancer-specific QoL. High-touch navigation aspects of a disease-focused program may have contributed to stability in outcomes.

Disparities in end-of-life outcomes among advanced cancer patients in Sri Lanka: Results from the APPROACH study

OBJECTIVE

A Universal Health Coverage goal is to provide access to affordable palliative care to reduce disparities in end-of-life (EOL) outcomes. To assess progress toward this goal in Sri Lanka, our primary aim was to systematically assess differences in patients' physical, psychological, social and spiritual outcomes, and their perceived quality of care by their socioeconomic status (SES).

METHODS

As part of the multi-country APPROACH (Asian Patient Perspectives Regarding Oncology Awareness, Care and Health) study, we surveyed 199 patients with a stage IV solid malignant tumor and aged >21 years from the largest government cancer hospital in Sri Lanka. We assessed their physical (physical and functional well-being, symptom burden), psychological (anxiety, depression, emotional well-being), social (social well-being), and spiritual outcomes and perceived quality of care (physician communication, nursing care, and coordination/responsiveness).

RESULTS

Low SES patients reported significantly lower physical and functional well-being, emotional well-being, spiritual well-being including meaning/peace and faith; and significantly higher symptom burden, anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with patients from high SES (p < 0.05 for all outcomes).

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Results have implications regarding reducing barriers in access to appropriate palliative care and EOL care services to stage IV cancer patients from low SES in Sri Lanka.

A bibliometric analysis of cancer research funders and collaborators in Kenya: 2007-2017

AIM

Cancer research is essential to the development and implementation of effective control strategies and interventions. In Kenya, cancer is the third leading cause of death. Country specific research conducted by local and international investigators can inform a national plan to address local needs across the cancer care continuum. This analysis aims to provide information about the trends and types of cancer research collaborations, funding, and outputs from 2007 to 2017, to understand gaps and opportunities to strengthen Kenya-led cancer research capacity.

METHODS

This analysis included 243 studies from a previously published phase 1 scoping review of oncology research conducted and published in Kenya from 2007 to 2017. The citation metadata was drawn from the Web of Science and PubMed and normalized in Microsoft Excel. Using Sci2, a series of bibliometric network analyses were conducted to identify funding patterns, collaborations between authors and institutions, and the types of cancer research conducted in Kenya. Gephi and Excel provided descriptive analyses and graphs of the network. The analyses are categorized into three themes: article production, collaboration, and research topics.

RESULTS

The bibliometric analysis found 5 US-based government agencies are funding cancer research in Kenya. Kenya-Kenya institutional collaborations were most common, and half of authors with the most co-authored publications were from Kenya. The publication trend showed a gradual increase from 2011 to 2014 with a subsequent drop through 2017.

CONCLUSION AND POLICY SUMMARY STATEMENT

This study identifies the funders and most often published Kenyan authors and Kenyan-based institutions publishing oncology research in Kenya. It also identifies future areas to focus research and the importance of continuing to build the writing and publishing capacity on oncology research by Kenyans.

The cost of cancer care: how far would you go for a trial?

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials are often considered the gold standard in cancer care. However, patients face barriers in trial participation including distances to cancer centres and personal costs including changing employment status, cost of medications, inpatient admissions, and parking tariffs.

AIM

Our aim was to compare the distances patients travelled for clinical trials compared to those receiving standard systemic anticancer therapy (SACT). We also investigated the additional costs associated with this.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of electronic patient medical records. The distance from the patients' home address to Beaumont was calculated as a one-way journey in kilometres. Patients attending for clinical trials were compared to those receiving standard of care SACT.

RESULTS

A total of 271 patients receiving standard SACT over a 5-day period and 111 patients enrolled on 24 clinical trials were included. The median one-way distance travelled by patients enrolled in clinical trials was 41.4 km, compared to 14 km in those patients' receiving standard of care SACT. The median estimated cost was €13 vs €4.20 for those enrolled on clinical trials compared to those receiving standard of care treatment, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Patients enrolled on clinical trials often travel more than twice as far to receive their anti-cancer treatment compared to those receiving standard of care SACT and incur an increased cost of travel expenses.

Effectiveness of an insurance enrollment support tool on insurance rates and cancer prevention in community health centers: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Following the ACA, millions of people gained Medicaid insurance. Most electronic health record (EHR) tools to date provide clinical-decision support and tracking of clinical biomarkers, we developed an EHR tool to support community health center (CHC) staff in assisting patients with health insurance enrollment documents and tracking insurance application steps. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of the health insurance support tool in (1) assisting uninsured patients gaining insurance coverage, (2) ensuring insurance continuity for patients with Medicaid insurance (preventing coverage gaps between visits); and (3) improving receipt of cancer preventive care.

Methods

In this quasi-experimental study, twenty-three clinics received the intervention (EHR-based insurance support tool) and were matched to 23 comparison clinics. CHCs were recruited from the OCHIN network. EHR data were linked to Medicaid enrollment data. The primary outcomes were rates of uninsured and Medicaid visits. The secondary outcomes were receipt of recommended breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings. A comparative interrupted time-series using Poisson generalized estimated equation (GEE) modeling was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the EHR-based tool on the primary and secondary outcomes.

Results

Immediately following implementation of the enrollment tool, the uninsured visit rate decreased by 21.0% (Adjusted Rate Ratio [RR] = 0.790, 95% CI = 0.621–1.005, p = .055) while Medicaid-insured visits increased by 4.5% (ARR = 1.045, 95% CI = 1.013–1.079) in the intervention group relative to comparison group. Cervical cancer preventive ratio increased 5.0% (ARR = 1.050, 95% CI = 1.009–1.093) immediately following implementation of the enrollment tool in the intervention group relative to comparison group. Among patients with a tool use, 81% were enrolled in Medicaid 12 months after tool use. For the 19% who were never enrolled in Medicaid following tool use, most were uninsured (44%) at the time of tool use.

Conclusions

A health insurance support tool embedded within the EHR can effectively support clinic staff in assisting patients in maintaining their Medicaid coverage. Such tools may also have an indirect impact on evidence-based practice interventions, such as cancer screening.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered on February 4th, 2015 with Clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT02355262). The registry record can be found at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02355262.

Disparities in Refusal of Locoregional Treatment for Prostate Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

We assessed sociodemographic factors associated with and survival implications of refusal of potentially survival-prolonging locoregional treatment (LT, including radiotherapy and surgery) despite provider recommendation among men with localized prostate adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database (2004-2015) identified men with TxN0M0 prostate cancer who either received or refused LT despite provider recommendation. Multivariable logistic regression defined adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% CI of refusing LT, with sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Models were stratified by low-risk and intermediate- or high-risk (IR or HR) disease, with a separate interaction analysis between race and risk group. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard ratios compared overall survival (OS) among men who received versus refused LT.

RESULTS

Of 887,839 men (median age 64 years, median follow-up 6.14 years), 2,487 (0.28%) refused LT. Among men with IR or HR disease (n = 651,345), Black and Asian patients were more likely to refuse LT than White patients (0.35% v 0.29% v 0.17%; Black v White AOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.52 to 2.01; P < .001; Asian v White AOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.06; P = .027, race * risk group interaction P < .001). Later year of diagnosis, community facility type, noninsurance or Medicaid, and older age were also associated with increased odds of LT refusal, overall and when stratifying by risk group. For men with IR or HR disease, LT refusal was associated with worse OS (5-year OS 80.1% v 91.5%, HR, 1.65, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

LT refusal has increased over time; racial disparities were greater in higher-risk disease. Refusal despite provider recommendation highlights populations that may benefit from efforts to assess and reduce barriers to care.

End-of-Life Cancer Care Resource Utilisation in Rural Versus Urban Settings: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Despite the advances in End-of-life (EOL) cancer care, disparities remain in the accessibility and utilisation of EOL cancer care resources. Often explained by socio-demographic factors, geographic variation exists in the availability and provision of EOL cancer care services among EOL cancer decedents across urban versus rural settings. This systematic review aims to synthesise mortality follow-back studies on the patterns of EOL cancer care resource use for adults (>18 years) during end-of-life cancer care.

METHODS

Five databases were searched and data analysed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria involved; a) original research; b) quantitative studies; c) English language; d) palliative care related service use in adults (>18 years) with any malignancy excluding non-melanoma skin cancers; e) exclusive end of life focus; f) urban-rural focus. Narrative reviews and discussions were excluded.

RESULTS

24 studies met the inclusion criteria. End-of-life cancer care service utilisation patterns varied by rurality and treatment intent. Rurality was strongly associated with higher rates of Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospitalisations and lower rates of hospice care. The largest inequities between urban and rural health service utilisation patterns were explained by individual level factors including age, gender, proximity to service and survival time from cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Rurality is an important predictor for poorer outcomes in end-of-life cancer care. Findings suggest that addressing the disparities in the urban-rural continuum is critical for efficient and equitable palliative cancer care. Further research is needed to understand barriers to service access and usage to achieve optimal EOL care for all cancer patient populations.

Health Insurance Coverage Disruptions and Cancer Care and Outcomes: Systematic Review of Published Research

BACKGROUND

Lack of health insurance coverage is associated with poor access and receipt of cancer care and survival in the United States. Disruptions in coverage are common among low-income populations, but little is known about associations of disruptions with cancer care, including prevention, screening, and treatment, as well as outcomes of stage at diagnosis and survival.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of studies of health insurance coverage disruptions and cancer care and outcomes published between 1980 and 2019. We used the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CINAHL databases and identified 29 observational studies. Study characteristics and key findings were abstracted and synthesized qualitatively.

RESULTS

Studies evaluated associations between coverage disruptions and prevention or screening (31.0%), treatment (13.8%), end-of-life care (10.3%), stage at diagnosis (44.8%), and survival (20.7%). Coverage disruptions ranged from 4.3% to 32.8% of patients age-eligible for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening. Between 22.1% and 59.5% of patients with Medicaid gained coverage only at or after cancer diagnosis. Coverage disruptions were consistently statistically significantly associated with lower receipt of prevention, screening, and treatment. Among patients with cancer, those with Medicaid disruptions were statistically significantly more likely to have advanced stage (odds ratios = 1.2-3.8) and worse survival (hazard ratios = 1.28-2.43) than patients without disruptions.

CONCLUSIONS

Health insurance coverage disruptions are common and adversely associated with receipt of cancer care and survival. Improved data infrastructure and quasi-experimental study designs will be important for evaluating the associations of federal and state policies on coverage disruptions and care and outcomes.

Ethnicity and insurance status predict metastatic disease presentation in prostate, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Ethnicity and insurance status have been shown to impact odds of presenting with metastatic cancer, however, the interaction of these two predictors is not well understood. We evaluate the difference in odds of presenting with metastatic disease in minorities compared to white patients despite access to the same insurance across three common cancer types.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Database, a multilevel logistic regression model that estimated the odds of metastatic disease was fit, adjusting for covariates including year of diagnosis, ethnicity, insurance, income, and region. We included adults diagnosed with metastatic prostate, non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and breast cancer from 2004 to 2015.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 1 191 241 prostate cancer (PCa), 1 310 986 breast cancer (BCa), and 1 183 029 NSCLC patients. Private insurance was the most protective factor against metastatic presentation. Odds of presenting with metastatic disease were 0.190 [95% CI, 0.182‐0.198], 0.616 [95% CI, 0.602‐0.630], and 0.270 [95% CI, 0.260‐0.279] for PCa, NSCLC, and BCa compared to uninsured patients, respectively. Private insurance provided the most significant benefit to non‐Hispanic White PCa patients with 81% reduction in odds of metastatic presentation and conferred the least benefit to African‐American NSCLC patients at 30.4% reduction in odds of metastatic presentation.

Conclusions

Insurance status provided the single most protective effect against metastatic presentation. This benefit varied for minorities despite similar insurance. Reducing metastatic disease presentation rates requires addressing social barriers to care independent of insurance.

Leveraging an Implementation Science Framework to Adapt and Scale a Patient Navigator Intervention to Improve Mammography Screening Outreach in a New Community

Helping Her Live (HHL) is a community health worker-led outreach model that navigates women from vulnerable communities to mammography screening and diagnostic follow-up. The objective of this study was to evaluate HHL implementation on the southwest side of Chicago. HHL has been implemented on the west side of Chicago since 2008, where it has increased mammogram completion and diagnostic follow-up rates among Black and Hispanic women from resource poor communities. In 2014, HHL was translated to the southwest side of Chicago; implementation success was evaluated by comparing outreach, navigation request, and mammogram completion metrics with the west side. During January 2014-December 2015, outreach was less extensive in the southwest setting (SW) compared to the benchmark west setting (W); however, the proportion of women who completed mammograms in SW was 50%, which compared favorably to the proportion observed in the benchmark setting W (42%). The distribution of insurance status and the racial and ethnic makeup of individuals met on outreach in the W and SW were significantly different (p < 0.0005). This successful expansion of HHL in terms of both geographic and demographic reach justifies further studies leveraging these results and tailoring HHL to additional underserved communities.

The Changing Health Insurance Coverage Landscape in the United States

Changes in the health insurance coverage landscape in the United States during the past decade have important implications for receipt and affordability of cancer care. In this paper, we summarize evidence for the association between health insurance coverage and cancer prevention and treatment. We then discuss ongoing changes in health care coverage, including implementation of provisions of the Affordable Care Act, increasing prevalence of high-deductible health insurance plans, and factors that affect health care delivery, with a focus on vertical integration of hospitals and providers. We summarize the evidence for the effects of the changes in health coverage on care and discuss areas for future research with the goal of informing efforts to improve cancer care delivery and outcomes in the United States.

Ethnic and racial disparities of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Florida

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities are known to negatively impact survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, data regarding the Hispanic ethnicity are scarce in the pancreatic cancer literature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze whether race and ethnicity are independent predictors of survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Florida.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed utilizing all patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1983 and 2013 in the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS). Statistical analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard regression models, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

Of 36,756 patients identified with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the FCDS, 9.1% were Hispanic and 91% were non-Hispanic. Ethnicity was associated with improved survival among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanics (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82-0.90, both p = 0.001). Furthermore, 90% of patients were White, and 9% were Black. Compared to Whites, Blacks had a significantly decreased survival (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.13, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

In Florida patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, Hispanic ethnicity is associated with improved survival compared to Non-Hispanics. Additionally, Blacks present at an earlier age and later stage of diagnosis with worse survival compared to Whites and Others.

The impact of health literacy on medico-social follow-up visits among French cancer survivors 5 years after diagnosis: The national VICAN survey

Background

Long‐term medico‐social follow‐up of cancer survivors is a challenge because of frequent subsequent troubles. In particular survivors with lower health literacy (HL) have poorer health and might more often use primary care services. However, the impact of HL on cancer survivors’ medico‐social follow‐up visits is not known. Our aim was to study medico‐social follow‐up and its associated determinants with a focus on HL 5 years after diagnosis.

Methods

VICAN is a national survey of French adult cancer survivors 5 years after a primary cancer. The Single‐Item Literacy Screener was used to define functional HL in this sample. We also asked patients to report the frequency of follow‐up visits with a general practitioner (GP) and/or social worker (SW) regarding their cancer disease.

Results

The 4045 participants were 57.4 ± 12.9 years old at diagnosis (range 20‐82) and 1495 (37%) were classified as having inadequate HL. Most cancer survivors (66.7%) were followed up by a GP regarding their cancer while only 14.5% had contact with a SW. After adjustment for sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics, medico‐social follow‐ups (GP and SW visits) were more frequent among survivors with low HL. Furthermore, low income, unemployment, impaired mental health, treatment by chemotherapy, and perception of sequelae and fatigue were also associated with more frequent medico‐social follow‐up. Cancer localization association with medico‐social follow‐up was heterogeneous.

Conclusion

French cancer survivors with limited HL, lower socioeconomic status, and more severe cancer were more likely to use GP care and social services. Raising awareness and training GPs and SWs on medico‐social follow‐up for patients with limited HL seem necessary to support these vulnerable survivors.

Racial differences in user experiences and perceived value of electronic symptom monitoring in a cohort of black and white bladder and prostate cancer patients

PURPOSE

Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) are increasingly being used for symptom monitoring during routine cancer care, but have rarely been evaluated in diverse patient populations. We assessed ePRO user experiences and perceived value among Black and White cancer patients.

METHODS

We recruited 30 Black and 49 White bladder and prostate cancer patients from a single institution. Participants reported symptoms using either a web-based or automated telephone interface over 3 months and completed satisfaction surveys and qualitative interviews focused on user experiences and value. Using a narrative mixed methods approach, we evaluated overall and race-specific differences in ePRO user experiences and perceived value.

RESULTS

Most participants selected the web-based system, but Blacks were more likely to use the automated telephone-based system than Whites. In satisfaction surveys, Whites more commonly reported ease in understanding and reporting symptoms compared with Blacks. Blacks more often reported that the ePRO system was helpful in facilitating symptom-related discussions with clinicians. During interviews, Blacks described how the ePRO helped them recognize symptoms, while Whites found value in better understanding and tracking symptoms longitudinally. Blacks also expressed preferences for paper-based ePRO options due to perceived ease in better understanding of symptom items.

CONCLUSION

Electronic patient-reported outcomes are perceived as valuable for variable reasons by Black and White cancer populations, with greater perceived value for communicating with clinicians reported among Blacks. To optimize equitable uptake of ePROs, oncology practices should offer several ePRO options (e.g., web-based, phone-based), as well as paper-based options, and consider the e-health literacy needs of patients during implementation.

Non-participation in mammographic screening - experiences of women from a region in Sweden

Background

Understanding women’s life conditions regarding their non-participation in different health-promoting and disease-preventing activities is important as it may draw attention to potential areas for improvement in the healthcare sector. Mammographic screening, a disease-preventing service, facilitates early detection of any potential malignancies and consequently prompts initiation of treatment. The reasons for non-participation in mammographic screening can be understood from different perspectives, such as socioeconomic and lifestyle-related determinants of health. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of women’s experiences and perceptions about non-participation in mammographic screening in a Swedish region with a single mammographic facility.

Methods

Data from individual semi-structured interviews, conducted in 2018 with eleven women between the ages of 48 and 73, were analysed by a qualitative content analysis.

Results

The findings reveal three main categories: 1) doubts regarding mammographic screening and its organisation, 2) sense and sensibility in the decision to refrain from mammographic screening, and 3) dependency and options. These three categories indicate aspects, such as the individual’s life situation, accessibility to the offered service, and the flexibility of the healthcare system, that need to be considered to improve the organisation of mammographic screening.

Conclusion

Listening to the women’s voices regarding their experiences and perceptions about mammographic screening is important as individual characteristics and social circumstances interact with healthcare and affect the degree of participation.

The barriers to initiating lung cancer care in low-and middle-income countries

Lung cancer in low-and middle-income countries is the leading and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in males and females, respectively. This, in part, is due to late presentation of patients in health facilities and late diagnosis, thereby compromising the effectiveness of treatment and resulting in poor treatment outcomes. Investigating patients’ late presentation to health facilities and late diagnosis, as barriers to achieving good treatment outcomes, is an important step towards improving the existing pathways of care. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to critically review the published and unpublished literature, including government reports on lung cancer care, with regards to the barriers to patient access, referral, diagnosis and treatment in low-and middle-income countries. The emphasis is on access point and the primary care continuum. This review has been packaged into themes in order to efficiently inform researchers and cancer health professionals, on the existing gaps necessary for developing appropriate intervention strategies and policy guidelines. This review has revealed that the timeous and correct diagnosis of lung cancer enables lung specialists to engage on options for improved patient care. Currently, there are variations in lung cancer management in low-and middle-income countries. Many of the factors impacting on health care outcomes are a function of patient circumstances and/or understanding, leading to delays in presentation to health facilities. Factors pertaining to individual patient circumstances are further compounded by inefficiencies within the health care system. Therefore, limited health system capacities and competing health priorities in these settings require action.

Health system constraints affecting treatment and care among women with cervical cancer in Harare, Zimbabwe

Background

Cervical cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women yet access to treatment and care remains a huge challenge in Zimbabwe. The objective of this study was to investigate health system constraints affecting engagement into treatment and care by women with cervical cancer in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Methods

A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used for this study. Phase 1 comprised of two surveys namely: patient and health worker surveys with sample sizes of 134 and 78 participants respectively. Validated structured questionnaires programmed in Android tablet with SurveytoGo software were used for data collection during the surveys. Univariate analyses were conducted using STATA® version 14 to generate descriptive statistics. In phase 2, 16 in-depth interviews, 20 key informant interviews and 6 focus groups were conducted to explain survey results. Participants were purposively selected and sample sizes were informed by saturation principle. Participants in phase 1 and 2 were different. English transcripts were manually coded line by line in Dedoose software using the thematic codes that had been established from the survey data. The final codes were used to support and explain the survey data at the interpretation stages.

Results

Health system constraints identified in surveys were: limited or lack of training for health workers, weakness of surveillance system for cervical cancer, limited access to treatment and care, inadequate health workers, reliance of patients on out-of-pocket funding for treatment services, lack of back-up for major equipment. Qualitative inquiry revealed the following barriers to treatment and care: high costs of treatment and care, lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and bad attitudes of health workers, few screening and treating centres located mostly in urban areas, lack of clear referral system resulting in bureaucratic processes, and limited screening and treating capacities in health facilities due to lack of resources.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that health system and its organization present barriers to access of cervical cancer treatment and care among women. Strong political will, mobilization of resources both domestically and from partners in addition to sound policies are imperative to address key health system challenges.

Prevalence and Correlates of Medical Financial Hardship in the USA

BACKGROUND

High patient out-of-pocket (OOP) spending for medical care is associated with medical debt, distress about household finances, and forgoing medical care because of cost in the USA.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the national prevalence of medical financial hardship domains: (1) material conditions from increased OOP expenses (e.g., medical debt), (2) psychological responses (e.g., distress), and (3) coping behaviors (e.g., forgoing care); and factors associated with financial hardship.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

We identified adults aged 18-64 years (N = 68,828) and ≥ 65 years (N = 24,614) from the 2015-2017 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariable analyses of nationally representative cross-sectional survey data were stratified by age group, 18-64 years and ≥ 65 years.

MAIN MEASURES

Prevalence of material, psychological, and behavioral hardship and hardship intensity.

KEY RESULTS

Approximately 137.1 million (95% CI 132.7-141.5) adults reported any medical financial hardship in the past year. Hardship is more common for material, psychological and behavioral domains in adults aged 18-64 years (28.9%, 46.9%, and 21.2%, respectively) than in adults aged ≥ 65 years (15.3%, 28.4%, and 12.7%, respectively; all p < .001). Lower educational attainment and more health conditions were strongly associated with hardship intensity in multivariable analyses in both age groups (p < .001). In the younger group, the uninsured were more likely to report multiple domains of hardship (52.8%), compared to those with some public (26.5%) or private insurance (23.2%) (p < .001). In the older group, individuals with Medicare only were more likely to report hardship in multiple domains (17.1%) compared to those with Medicare and public (12.1%) or Medicare and private coverage (10.1%) (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Medical financial hardship is common in the USA, especially in adults aged 18-64 years and those without health insurance coverage. With trends towards higher patient cost-sharing and increasing health care costs, risks of hardship may increase in the future.

Risk of Cancer Death Among White, Black, and Hispanic Populations in South Florida

Background

The cancer burden in South Florida, with a population of more than 6 million with a heavily Hispanic and large Afro-Caribbean population, has not been quantified.

Methods

We analyzed 2012–2016 cancer mortality data from South Florida for white, Hispanic, and black populations with disaggregation for Cuban, Puerto Rican, South American, African American, and Afro-Caribbean groups. We calculated cancer site-specific and all-sites combined age-adjusted mortality rates, and we used negative binomial regression to determine mortality rate ratios to compare South Florida’s cancer mortality rates with those of the rest of the nation.

Results

We analyzed 53,837 cancer deaths. Per 100,000 population, cancer mortality rates in South Florida were similar among white (173 per 100,000) and black (176 per 100,000) men and among white and black women (133 for both), and they were lowest among Hispanic men (151 per 100,000) and women (93 per 100,000). However, compared with their counterparts nationally, Hispanic residents in South Florida had higher cancer mortality rates, largely driven by Cuban residents, and mortality rates among white and black residents, especially male residents, were substantially lower. Liver cancer rates were high among white and Puerto Rican “baby boomers”; lung cancer mortality was low among all groups except Cuban men; cervical cancer was high among white, black, and Puerto Rican women.

Conclusion

Cancer patterns are not monochromatic in all US regions; South Florida is distinctive. Meeting the needs of an aging diverse population presents challenges for all major metropolitan areas. Expanding surveillance, increasing minority participation in clinical trials, and investing in culturally specific community-based health promotion must continue.

Understanding patients' care barriers in the treatment of venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health care problem. There are common barriers to quality healthcare but are these barriers the same for VTE patients? A national online survey was administered to adults who had experienced a recent VTE event. The survey assessed perceptions of VTE care barriers: (1) Difficulty to meet healthcare costs related to VTE care; (2) difficulty to meet costs for VTE prescription medications; (3) difficulty with transportation to get VTE care; and (4) the degree of support of others needed to get VTE care. Each question was correlated with patient demographics including income level, place of residence, current work status, and health insurance; care related patient harms experienced with the VTE episode; number of lifetime VTE events; beliefs concerning VTE outcomes, and oral anticoagulant therapy type. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of independent variables on barriers to VTE care. Approximately 30% of VTE patients reported at least one significant barrier to VTE care. Patients rated healthcare costs and VTE prescription medication costs mildly difficult. The odds of reporting barriers were positively associated with the number of DVTs experienced in the previous 2 years. VTE-related depression was also moderately associated with increased odds of reporting significant VTE care barriers. Nearly 1 in 3 VTE sufferers reported significant barriers to VTE care, with healthcare costs and VTE medication costs being the most common. Efforts to identify patients who may experience barriers should be sought early in care.

Minimizing the burden of cancer in the United States: Goals for a high-performing health care system

Between 1991 and 2015, the cancer mortality rate declined dramatically in the United States, reflecting improvements in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care. However, cancer outcomes in the United States vary substantially between populations defined by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health insurance coverage, and geographic area of residence. Many potentially preventable cancer deaths occur in individuals who did not receive effective cancer prevention, screening, treatment, or survivorship care. At the same time, cancer care spending is large and growing, straining national, state, health insurance plans, and family budgets. Indeed, one of the most pressing issues in American medicine is how to ensure that all populations, in every community, derive the benefit from scientific research that has already been completed. Addressing these questions from the perspective of health care delivery is necessary to accelerate the decline in cancer mortality that began in the early 1990s. This article, part of the Cancer Control Blueprint series, describes challenges with the provision of care across the cancer control continuum in the United States. It also identifies goals for a high-performing health system that could reduce disparities and the burden of cancer by promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles; access to a regular source of primary care; timely access to evidence-based care; patient-centeredness, including effective patient-provider communication; enhanced coordination and communication between providers, including primary care and specialty care providers; and affordability for patients, payers, and society.

Sociodemographic inequities in cervical cancer screening, treatment and care amongst women aged at least 25 years: evidence from surveys in Harare, Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Zimbabwe; however; access to screening and treatment services remain challenged. The objective of this study was to investigate socio-demographic inequities in cervical cancer screening and utilization of treatment among women in Harare, Zimbabwe.

METHODS

Two cross sectional surveys were conducted in Harare with a total sample of 277 women aged at least 25 years. In the community survey, stratified random sampling was conducted to select 143 healthy women in Glen View, Cranborne, Highlands and Hopely communities of Harare to present high, medium, low density suburbs and rural areas respectively. In the patient survey, 134 histologically confirmed cervical cancer patients were also randomly selected at Harare hospital, Parirenyatwa Hospital and Island Hospice during their routine visits or while in hospital admission. All consenting participants were interviewed using a validated structured questionnaire programmed in Surveytogo software in an android tablet. Data was analyzed using STATA version 14 to yield descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression outcomes for the study.

RESULTS

Women who reported ever screening for cervical cancer were only 29%. Cervical cancer screening was less likely in women affiliated to major religions (p < 0.05) and those who never visited health facilities or doctors or visited once in previous 6 months (p < 0.05). Ninety-two (69%) of selected patients were on treatment. Women with cervical cancer affiliated to protestant churches were 68 times [95% CI: 1.22 to 381] more likely to utilize treatment and care services compared to those in other religions (p = 0.040). Province of residence, education, occupation, marital status, income (personal and household), wealth, medical aid status, having a regular doctor, frequency of visiting health facilities, sources of cervical cancer information and knowledge of treatability of cervical cancer were not associated with cervical cancer screening and treatment respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed few variations in the participation of women in cervical cancer screening and treatment explained only by religious affiliations and usage of health facilities. Strengthening of health education in communities including churches and universal healthcare coverage are recommended strategies to improve uptake of screening and treatment of cervical cancer.

Epidemiological profile of Brazilian oncological patients seen by a reference oncology center of the public health system and who migrate in search of adequate health care

INTRODUCTION

Structural disparities between different Brazilian regions in public health system cause patients to migrate in search of better conditions to treat their diseases. Besides patient's discomfort, there is a concentration of care in large centres, causing overload to current capacity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate migratory flow and associated factors in a reference service in oncology.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study conducted at a referral oncology service in Great ABC region of São Paulo. Patients were interviewed, and clinical and demographic data collected.

RESULTS

Between March-July 2016, 217 patients were included. Analysis showed a divergence between the postal code registered in the medical record and that recorded during the interview in approximately 10% of cases. Of these, 42.9% were residents of other states. Search for treatment motivated most patients to seek service outside their city.

CONCLUSION

Results reflect the informal search for medical care outside the home area. Besides the direct impact on patients' quality of life, migratory flow has an economic-social impact because these patients place a burden and impose costs on services of cities where they do not perform their responsibilities as citizens. Confirmation of the existence of a significant migratory flow demonstrates the need to discuss restructuring public health policies.

The CITIES Project: Understanding the Health of Underrepresented Populations in Ohio

BACKGROUND

Ohio, the catchment area of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC), includes diverse populations with different cancer profiles. As part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded initiative to conduct population health assessments in cancer center catchment areas, the OSUCCC surveyed residents, focusing on factors contributing to cancer disparities in Ohio populations.

METHODS

Two sampling strategies were used: (i) probability sampling of mailing lists and (ii) convenience sampling at community events, coupled with phone/in-person/web surveys. Survey items were chosen along multilevel framework constructs, used in concert with other funded NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. Multivariable logistic regression models investigated predictors associated with health behaviors, cancer beliefs, knowledge, and screening.

RESULTS

The sample of 1,005 respondents were white (46.6%), African American (24.7%), Hispanic (13.7%), Somali (7.6%), and Asian (7.5%). A total of 216 respondents were Appalachian. Variations in cancer attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors were noted by racial/ethnic and geographic group. Multivariable models identified individuals with less financial security as less likely to exercise or be within guidelines for screening, but more likely to smoke and have a poor diet. At the community-level, measures of poverty were highest in Appalachia, whereas children in female-headed households were greater in urban minority areas.

CONCLUSIONS

This population health assessment reinforced the diversity of the OSUCCC catchment area. These populations are ripe for implementation science strategies, focusing in communities and clinics that serve vulnerable populations.

IMPACT

Understanding attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of this population can assist tailoring outreach and research strategies to lessen the cancer burden.

Access to innovative drugs for metastatic lung cancer treatment in a French nationwide cohort: the TERRITOIRE study

Background

Territorial differences in the access to innovative anticancer drugs have been reported from many countries. The objectives of this study were to evaluate access to innovative treatments for metastatic lung cancer in France, and to assess whether socioeconomic indicators were predictors of access at the level of the municipality of residence.

Methods

All incident cases of metastatic lung cancer hospitalised for a chemotherapy in public hospitals in 2011 were identified from the French National Hospital discharge database. Information on prescription of innovative drugs from an associated database (FICHCOMP) was crossed with the population density of the municipality and a social deprivation index based on national census data.

Results

Overall, 21,974 incident cases of metastatic lung cancer were identified, all of whom were followed for 2 years. Of the 11,486 analysable patients receiving chemotherapy in the public sector, 6959 were treated with a FICHCOMP drug at least once, principally pemetrexed. In multivariate analysis, prescription of FICHCOMP drugs was less frequent in patients ≥66 years compared to those ≤55 years (odds ratio: 0.49 [0.44–0.55]), in men compared to women (0.86 [0.79–0.94]) and in patients with renal insufficiency (0.55 [0.41–0.73]) and other comorbidities. Prescription rates were also associated with social deprivation, being lowest in the most deprived municipalities compared to the most privileged municipalities (odds ratio: 0.82 [0.72–0.92]). No association was observed between the population density of the municipality and access to innovative drugs.

Conclusion

Although access to innovative medication in France seems to be relatively equitable, social deprivation is associated with poorer access. The reasons for this need to be investigated and addressed.

Equal Treatment and Outcomes for Everyone with Multiple Myeloma: Are We There Yet?

Multiple myeloma treatment has changed tremendously over recent years leading to overall improvement in patient outcomes. With therapeutic advancements, patient care has become increasingly complex and variability is seen in healthcare delivery as well as outcomes when various patient subgroups are analyzed based on sociodemographic factors. It is imperative to understand this variability so that while overall the outcomes get better, specific focus is placed on subgroups that may remain disadvantaged and may not be able to fully access the advancements in therapeutics. Research in multiple myeloma has specifically looked at several such patient subgroups based on socioeconomic status, age, race/ethnicity, insurance carrier, and geographic location that may affect healthcare utilization and patient outcomes. Exploring and understanding these would certainly help address disparities and lead to further equity in healthcare access and, hopefully, patient outcomes.

Health Research Participation, Opportunity, and Willingness Among Minority and Rural Communities of Arkansas

Prior research suggests that rural and minority communities participate in research at lower rates. While rural and minority populations are often cited as being underrepresented in research, population‐based studies on health research participation have not been conducted. This study used questions added to the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to understand factors associated with i) health research participation, ii) opportunities to participate in health research, and iii) willingness to participate in health research from a representative sample (n = 5,256) of adults in Arkansas. Among all respondents, 45.5% would be willing to participate in health research if provided the opportunity and 22.1% were undecided. Only 32.4% stated that they would not be willing to participate in health research. There was no significant difference in participation rates for rural or racial/ethnic minority communities. Furthermore, racial/ethnic minority respondents (Black or Hispanic) were more likely to express their willingness to participate.

Insurance-Based Differences in Time to Diagnostic Follow-up after Positive Screening Mammography

BACKGROUND

Insurance may lengthen or inhibit time to follow-up after positive screening mammography. We assessed the association between insurance status and time to initial diagnostic follow-up after a positive screening mammogram.

METHODS

Using 1995-2010 data from a North Carolina population-based registry of breast imaging and cancer outcomes, we identified women with a positive screening mammogram. We compared receipt of follow-up within 60 days of screening using logistic regression and evaluated time to follow-up initiation using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Among 43,026 women included in the study, 73% were <65 years and 27% were 65+ years. Median time until initial diagnostic follow-up was similar by age group and insurance status. In the adjusted model for women <65, uninsured women experienced a longer time to initiation of diagnostic follow-up [HR, 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.25-0.89] versus women with private insurance. There were increased odds of these uninsured women not meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline for follow-up within 60 days (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.31-1.94). Among women ages 65+, women with private insurance experienced a faster time to follow-up (adjusted HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.27-3.44) than women with Medicare and private insurance. Approximately 10% of women had no follow-up by 365 days.

CONCLUSIONS

We found differences in time to initial diagnostic follow-up after a positive screening mammogram by insurance status and age group. Uninsured women younger than 65 years at a positive screening event had delayed follow-up.

IMPACT

Replication of these findings and examination of their clinical significance warrant additional investigation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(11); 1474-82. ©2016 AACR.

Racial differences in symptom management experiences during breast cancer treatment

PURPOSE

Racial disparities in cancer treatment-related symptom burden are well documented and linked to worse treatment outcomes. Yet, little is known about racial differences in patients' treatment-related symptom management experiences. Such understanding can help identify modifiable drivers of symptom burden inequities. As part of the Cancer Health Accountability for Managing Pain and Symptoms (CHAMPS) study, we examined racial differences in symptom management experiences among Black and White breast cancer survivors (BCS).

METHODS

We conducted six focus groups (n = 3 Black BCS groups; n = 3 White BCS groups) with 22 stages I-IV BCS at two cancer centers. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Based on key community-based participatory research principles, our community/academic/medical partner team facilitated focus groups and conducted qualitative analyses.

RESULTS

All BCS described positive symptom management experiences, including clinician attentiveness to symptom concerns and clinician recommendations for pre-emptively managing symptoms. Black BCS commonly reported having to advocate for themselves to get information about treatment-related symptoms, and indicated dissatisfaction regarding clinicians' failure to disclose potential treatment-related symptoms or provide medications to address symptoms. White BCS often described dissatisfaction regarding inadequate information on symptom origins and clinicians' failure to offer reassurance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study elucidates opportunities for future research aimed at improving equity for cancer treatment-related symptom management. For Black women, warnings about anticipated symptoms and treatment for ongoing symptoms were particular areas of concern. Routine symptom assessment for all women, as well as clinicians' management of symptoms for racially diverse cancer patients, need to be more thoroughly studied and addressed.

Assessing Community Cancer care after insurance ExpanSionS (ACCESS) study protocol

Background

Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality in the United States. Cancer screening and prevention services have contributed to improved overall cancer survival rates in the past 40 years. Vulnerable populations (i.e., uninsured, low-income, and racial/ethnic minorities) are disproportionately affected by cancer, receive significantly fewer cancer prevention services, poorer healthcare, and subsequently lower survival rates than insured, white, non-Hispanic populations. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to provide health insurance to all low-income citizens and legal residents, including an expansion of Medicaid eligibility for those earning ≤138% of federal poverty level. As of 2012, Medicaid was expanded in 32 states and the District of Columbia, while 18 states did not expand, creating a ‘natural experiment’ to assess the impact of Medicaid expansion on cancer prevention and care.

Methods

We will use electronic health record data from up to 990 community health centers available up to 24-months before and at least one year after Medicaid expansion. Primary outcomes include health insurance and coverage status, and type of insurance. Additional outcomes include healthcare delivery, number and types of encounters, and receipt of cancer prevention and screening for all patients and preventive care and screening services for cancer survivors.

Discussion

Cancer morbidity and mortality is greatly reduced through screening and prevention, but uninsured patients are much less likely than insured patients to receive these services as recommended. This natural policy experiment will provide valuable information about cancer-related healthcare services as the US tackles the distribution of healthcare resources and future health reform.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrails.gov identifier NCT02936609.

Is the clinicopathological pattern of colorectal carcinoma similar in the state and private healthcare systems of South Africa? Analysis of a Durban colorectal cancer database

Previous state hospital-based local studies suggest varying population-based clinicopathological patterns of colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients diagnosed with CRC in the state and private sector hospitals in Durban, South Africa over a 12-month period (January-December 2009) form the basis of our study. Of 491 patients (172 state and 319 private sector patients), 258 were men. State patients were younger than private patients. Anatomical site distribution was similar in both groups with minor variations. Stage IV disease was more common in state patients. State patients were younger, presented with advanced disease and had a lower resection rate. Black patients were the youngest, presented with advanced disease and had the lowest resection rate.

REFERRAL OF OLDER THYROID CANCER PATIENTS TO A HIGH-VOLUME SURGEON: RESULTS OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PHYSICIAN SURVEY

OBJECTIVE

Surgical outcomes of thyroid cancer patients are improved with high-volume surgeons. However, age disparities in referral to specialist surgical centers still exist. The factors that influence decision making regarding referral of older thyroid cancer patients to high-volume surgeons remain unknown.

METHODS

We surveyed members of the Endocrine Society, American College of Physicians, and American Academy of Family Practice.

RESULTS

Overall, 270 physicians completed the survey. Patient preference (69%), transportation barriers (62%), and confidence in local surgeon (54%) were the most cited factors decreasing likelihood of referral to a high-volume surgeon. In clinical scenarios, referral rates to a high-volume surgeon were similar for patients aged 40 and 65 years with a 1-cm thyroid nodule diagnostic of thyroid cancer (n = 137 [54%]; n = 132 [52%], respectively) as for an 85-year-old with a 4-cm nodule (n = 148 [59%]). When comorbidities were introduced, more physicians (n = 186 [74%]) would refer a 65-year-old with a 4-cm thyroid nodule and comorbidities, compared to an 85-year-old with the same nodule size without comorbidi-ties. In multivariable analysis, treating >10 thyroid cancer patients/year (P<.001; P<.005) and endocrinology specialty (P = .003; P = .003) were associated with referral to a high-volume surgeon for a 65-year-old with comorbidities and an 85-year-old without comorbidities, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Understanding surgical referral patterns of older thyroid cancer patients is vital in identifying obstacles in the referral process. We found that patient factors including comorbidities and physician factors including specialty and patient volume influence these patterns. This is the first step towards developing targeted interventions for these patients.

The Relationship Between the Supply of Primary Care Physicians and Measures of Breast Health Service Use

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether women are more likely to report receipt of a mammography recommendation from a doctor or mammography use if they reside in primary care service areas (PCSAs) having a greater number of clinically active primary care physicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis used a nationally representative sample of women, aged 40 years and above (n = 10,706 unweighted respondents), extracted from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey. The restricted geocoded addresses of the respondents were linked to PCSA data on physician density at a secure research data center. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether, after adjustment, specific measures of primary care providers (e.g., the number of obstetricians and gynecologists [Ob-GyNs] per 10,000 population) were associated with either recommendation receipt or mammography use.

RESULTS

After adjusting for other factors, a one-unit increase in the PCSA number of Ob-GyNs per 10,000 population increased the odds of mammography recommendation receipt by 9% and the odds of mammography use by 9%. The ratio of international medical graduate Ob-GyNs to US-trained Ob-GyNs in a PCSA was negatively associated with mammography use.

CONCLUSION

The results from this nationwide study underscore the importance of using physician density measures estimated from within bounded medical markets, where women reside and actually seek preventive breast health services. Results support the hypothesis that PCSA physician supply is independently associated with both mammography recommendation receipt and mammography utilization.

Mental Illness Is Not Associated with Adherence to Colorectal Cancer Screening: Results from the California Health Interview Survey

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-specific death in the USA. Evidence suggests people with mental illness are less likely to receive preventive health services, including cancer screening. We hypothesized that mental illness is a risk factor for non-adherence to colorectal cancer-screening guidelines.

METHODS

We analyzed results of the 2007 California Health Interview Survey to test whether mental illness is a risk factor for non-adherence to colorectal cancer-screening recommendations among individuals age 50 or older (N = 15,535). This cross-sectional dataset is representative of California. Screening was defined as either fecal occult blood testing during the preceding year, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy during the preceding 5 years. Mental illness was identified using the Kessler K6 screening tool. Associations were evaluated using weighted multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Mental illness was not associated with colorectal cancer-screening adherence (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.63-1.25). Risk factors for non-adherence included being female (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.09-1.44), delaying accessing health care during the previous year (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.56-2.29).

CONCLUSION

Unlike previous studies, this study did not find a relationship between mental illness and colorectal cancer-screening adherence. This could be due to differences in study populations. State-specific healthcare policies involving care coordination for individuals with mental illness could also influence colorectal cancer-screening adherence in California.