Disaggregating the Asian-American Breast Cancer Population: Disparities in Reconstruction Rates

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer (BC) incidence has been increasing among Asian-Americans (AsAms); recent data suggest these patients are less likely to undergo postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) compared to non-Asian women. Historically, AsAm BC patients are reported in aggregate, masking heterogeneity within this population. We aim to identify patterns of postmastectomy reconstruction among disaggregated AsAm BC patients at our institution.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for BC patients who underwent mastectomy between 2017 and 2021. Patient demographic and clinical information was collected including self-reported race/ethnicity and reconstruction at time of mastectomy. Self-identified Asian patients were disaggregated into East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and 'Asian Other.' We examined rates of reconstruction between the different races and the disaggregated Asian subgroups. Univariable and multivariable analysis was performed to examine patient factors associated with PMBR.

RESULTS

Six hundred and five patients met inclusion criteria. Forty seven percent of patients identified as Asian, 36% of which as East Asian. Forty four percent of all patients underwent PMBR. Southeast Asian and South Asian women were least likely to undergo reconstruction, while Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women were most likely to pursue PMBR (P = 0.020). On multivariable analysis, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and non-Hispanic Black women were more likely to undergo reconstruction compared to Asian women. Other factors associated with reconstruction were coverage with private insurance and diagnosis of noninvasive disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of PMBR are lower among AsAms than non-Asian patients and vary between Asian ethnic subgroups. Further investigation is needed to identify patterns of reconstruction among the disaggregated AsAm population to address disparities.

Breast Cancer Incidence Among Asian American Women in New York City: Disparities in Screening and Presentation

BACKGROUND

Asian American (AsAm) women have some of the lowest rates of up-to-date breast cancer screening, and lack of disaggregated racial/ethnic data can mask disparities. We evaluated presentation patterns among AsAms at two hospitals with distinct communities: New York Presbyterian-Queens (NYPQ), in Flushing, Queens and Weill Cornell Medical Center (WCM), on the Upper East Side (UES) neighborhood of Manhattan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer between January 2019 and December 2022 were identified using a prospective database and clinical data collected. Patients were categorized as self-reported Asian versus Non-Asian. The Asian group was disaggregated as Chinese-Asian versus Other-Asian. Physician workforce data were obtained from public records.

RESULTS

A total of 3546 patients (1162 NYPQ, 2384 WCM) were included. More NYPQ patients identified as Asian compared with WCM (49 vs. 14%, p < 0.001). Asian patients were mostly East Asian Chinese (NYPQ 61%, WCM 53%). More Chinese patients at NYPQ reported Chinese as their preferred language (81 vs. 33%, p < 0.001). Greatest differences of screen-detected disease frequency were seen between NYPQ and WCM Chinese patients (75 vs. 59%, p < 0.001). Eighty percent of NYPQ Chinese patients presented with stage 0/I disease versus 69% at WCM (p = 0.007), a difference not observed between Other-Asian patients (75% NYPQ, 68% WCM, p = 0.095). 3% of UES physicians versus 16% in Flushing reported speaking Chinese.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese patients residing in a neighborhood with more Chinese-speaking physicians more frequently presented with screen-detected, early-stage breast cancer. Stage distribution differences were not apparent among the aggregated pool of Other-Asian patients, suggesting cancer disparities may be masked when ethnic groups are studied in aggregate.

Social Determinants of Cancer Disparities

Cancer is a major public health issue that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. At its root, cancer represents a genetic aberration, but socioeconomic, environmental, and geographic factors contribute to different cancer outcomes for selected population subsets. The disparities in the delivery of healthcare affect all aspects of cancer management from early prevention to end-of-life care. In an effort to address the inequality in the delivery of healthcare among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, the World Health Organization defined social determinants of health (SDOH) as conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age. These factors play a significant role in the disproportionate cancer burden among different population groups. SDOH are associated with disparities in risk factor burden, screening modalities, diagnostic testing, treatment options, and quality of life of patients with cancer. The purpose of this article is to describe a more holistic and integrated approach to patients with cancer and address the disparities that are derived from their socioeconomic background.

Landmark Series: The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Study of Breast Cancer Disparities

Race-related variation in breast cancer incidence and mortality are well-documented in the United States. The effect of genetic ancestry on disparities in tumor genomics, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes of breast cancer is less understood. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a publicly available resource that has allowed for the recent emergence of genome analysis research seeking to characterize tumor DNA and protein expression by ancestry as well as the social construction of race and ethnicity. Results from TCGA based studies support previous clinical evidence that demonstrates that American women with African ancestry are more likely to be afflicted with breast cancers featuring aggressive biology and poorer outcomes compared with women with other backgrounds. Data from TCGA based studies suggest that Asian women have tumors with favorable immune microenvironments and may experience better disease-free survival compared with white Americans. TCGA contains limited data on Hispanic/Latinx patients due to small sample size. Overall, TCGA provides important opportunities to define the molecular, biologic, and germline genetic factors that contribute to breast cancer disparities.

The Landmark Series: The Breast Cancer Burden of the Asian American Population and the Need for Disaggregated Data

The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) population is a heterogeneous group of people from geographically and ethnically distinct regions of the world. Traditionally, these patients have been reported as one large aggregate in the breast cancer literature under the race category of "Asian." A detailed examination of this group shows compelling evidence that breast cancer manifests differently among Asian ethnic subgroups, resulting in overlooked health disparities when these races are grouped together. The AAPI community is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, and their incidence of breast cancer is increasing at rates greater than among their non-Asian counterparts. When these patients are disaggregated by race, they show wide variations in breast cancer screening, presentation, treatment, and outcomes. This population often faces additional unique challenges in the health care system due to cultural, social, health literacy, and language barriers, which can contribute to further disparity. Our landmark series aims to showcase the breadth of the breast cancer burden in the AAPI population and highlight the need for disaggregated ethnic data.

Effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Suicide-Related Trauma Burden at a Level 1 Trauma Center

INTRODUCTION

In March 2020, the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported in New York and a stay-at-home order was enacted soon after. Social isolation combined with pandemic-related stressors profoundly affected mental health. We hypothesize that there was an increase in violent suicide attempt during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to previous years.

METHODS

We queried our institutional trauma registry for total number of trauma activations and identified adult patients with International Classification of Diseases-10 diagnosis of intentional self-harm. We compared incidence during the lockdown to corresponding time periods from previous years. Demographic and injury characteristics were compared, as were outcomes such as mortality.

RESULTS

We observe a significant uptrend in patients requiring trauma intervention after suicide attempts from July 2019 through July 2020 (r = 0.8, P < 0.001) despite a significant downtrend in trauma volume at our institution during the same period (r = ‒0.7, P = 0.003). Although not statistically significant, patients attempting violent suicide during lockdown were more likely to have preexisting psychiatric diagnoses, to live alone, to have injury severity score >9, and to require surgical intervention. Three COVID-period patients died in the emergency room compared to zero in the comparison group.

CONCLUSION

Our data show a rise in violent suicide attempts during the pandemic lockdown despite an overall decrease in trauma volume. The ramifications of a stay-at-home order seem to have the most profound impact on individuals with preexisting mental health disease. Early establishment of mental health outreach programs may mitigate the reverberating psychosocial consequences of a pandemic.

Assessment of Intra-articular Screw Penetration During Radial Head and Olecranon Locking Plate Fixation: A Cadaveric Study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of radiographic and clinical exams in predicting screw penetration into the proximal radioulnar joint and ulnohumeral joint during open reduction and internal fixation of the radial head and proximal ulna.

METHODS

Olecranon and radial head plates were applied to 15 cadaveric elbows. Screws were assessed for intra-articular joint penetration using both clinical exam and radiographic evaluation. Clinical exam consisted of evaluation for crepitus. Radiographs demonstrating screws positioned near the joint surface were evaluated for penetration by 3 fellowship trained hand surgeons. Elbows were disarticulated and screw prominence was determined and recorded using standardized calipers. The ability of clinical and radiographic exams to correctly predict a breach in the articular surface was determined by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Consideration was given to screw position.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of crepitus was 81.1% for screws in the radial head plate and 72.6% for screws in the olecranon plate. The sensitivity of radiographs was 72.4% for the screws in the radial head plate and 55.0% for screws in the olecranon plate. Correct radiographic assessment of penetration varied but position o-2 on the olecranon plate consistently resulted in the lowest sensitivity of 30.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The study evaluates sensitivity and specificity of clinical and radiographic means when assessing for articular penetration of screws during olecranon and radial head locking plate fixation. Certain screw locations are more difficult to evaluate than others and may go undetected by standard means of assessment used in a surgical setting.

Distal scaphoid resection for degenerative arthritis secondary to scaphoid nonunion: a 20-year experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term results of distal scaphoid excision for degenerative arthritis secondary to scaphoid nonunion and compare them with our original results published in 1999.

METHODS

Nineteen patients who were treated by distal scaphoid resection arthroplasty from 1987 through 2010 were included. The mean follow-up was 15 years (range, 10-25 y) vs 4 years in the previous study. Clinical evaluation included measurement of the visual analog pain scale, wrist range of motion, and grip strength. Radiographs were taken at follow-up to assess for signs of arthritis and wrist collapse.

RESULTS

The outcomes of this procedure include increased grip strength and total arc of motion, a small decrease in revised carpal height ratio, and a small increase in radiolunate angle. Two patients failed distal scaphoid resection arthroplasty necessitating proximal row carpectomy (1) and wrist arthrodesis (1) for recalcitrant pain. More than half of the remaining patients developed midcarpal arthritis on radiographs that was asymptomatic. No patients developed radiolunate arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that distal scaphoid resection arthroplasty produced favorable, long-term clinical results and did not result in noteworthy wrist collapse. Midcarpal arthritis, which may develop after the procedure, did not cause appreciable deterioration in patient outcomes. This procedure also did not eliminate the option of using additional, more conventional reconstructive procedures if needed.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.