Killing time: Treatment delay and breast cancer survival

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Introduction: Treatment delay is commonly associated with reduced breast cancer survival. Inadequate or delayed follow-up for positive findings is the most common reason for breast cancer-related litigation in the U.S. The United Kingdom has made improvements in the delivery of breast cancer services a priority for resources with the aim of reducing delays. Yet, the evidence for the association of delay and breast cancer survival is mixed. Most studies rely on small, non-representative cohorts, treatment approaches have changed over the time since the the most widely-cited review. Studies cite wide variations in delay, and some research is subject to publication or lead time bias. Aims. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of 3-month breast cancer treatment delay on survival using a large, longitudinal, population-based dataset to provide more definitive findings. Methods: Subjects were 43,359 female Medicare enrollees age 65 and older who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1992 and 1999 and identified by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for whom treatment delay information could be obtained. Billing claims from inpatient, outpatient and provider visits were used. Mortality from breast cancer was assessed through SEER linkage with death certificates. Using propensity scores to balance the comparison groups, the association between treatment delays of three months or more and cancer survival time were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models with gamma frailty to account for the clustering effect due to census tract. To account for known predictors of breast cancer survival, in addition to the propensity scores, we adjusted for cancer stage, comorbidity, marital status, tumor characteristics, location, detection by screening or diagnostic mammography, and the average number of health provider visits during the study period. Results: Subjects who had over a three month delay in receiving any treatment had a 34% increased risk of breast cancer death by comparison to women with delays less than three months (adjusted Hazard ratio 1.34, 1.01–1.77). Discussion: Three-month delays in accessing breast cancer treatment have a clear relationship to survival. Rapid access to treatment is recommended for all women with breast cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Effect of race/ethnicity and treatment delay on breast cancer survival

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Background: Several papers have examined the relationship between treatment delay and survival among patients who are diagnosed with cancer. None has yet relied on a large, population-based dataset to systematically examine survival among women within different ethnic/racial groups who delay breast cancer treatment. Methods: Subjects were 49,865 female Medicare enrollees age 65 and older who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1992 and 1999 and identified by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Dates of their health care visits were identified through the linkage of SEER with Medicare claims data. Mortality from breast cancer was assessed through linkage with death certificates. Propensity score analyses that compared patients matched according to their propensity to receive treatment were used to balance patient characteristics between treatment groups, as would occur in a randomized clinical trial. Results: A propensity score analysis and a Cox proportional hazards model of survival (with adjustments for ER/PR status, treatment type, race/ethnicity, stage, age, comorbidities, marital status, poverty status, geographic location, and average number of service contacts) revealed that subjects with 1-month delay in the start of treatment had a reduced likelihood of survival (adjusted HR=1.17, 95% CI, 1.06–1.30) relative to those with less delay. Blacks had significantly lessened survival than women in other races/ethnicities (adjusted HR=1.23, 95% CI, 1.00–1.52). Receipt of radiation (adjusted HR=1.45, 95% CI, 1.24–1.69), chemotherapy (adjusted HR=1.73, 95% CI, 1.51–1.99), stage three diagnosis (adjusted HR=1.35, 95% CI, 1.08–1.70), being age 70 or older (adjusted HR=1.24, 95% CI, 1.09–1.41), or having 2 or more comorbidities (adjusted HR=1.47, 95% CI, 1.12–1.92) also predicted reduced survival from breast cancer. Conclusions: One month delay in accessing breast cancer treatment has a clear relationship to reduced survival, particularly among older, later-stage, comorbid black women who receive chemotherapy or radiation. Mechanisms for rapid access to treatment, using both provider- and system-based strategies, are recommended for these women who are at increased risk for breast cancer-related mortality.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Diet and breast cancer surveillance behaviors among Harlem women

The consumption of green, yellow, and other vegetables, fruits and fruit juices may be protective against breast cancer, and, alongside regular breast cancer screening, may contribute to ethnic and racial differences in breast cancer rates. The purpose of this study is to assess the dietary and sociodemographic predictors of surveillance among Harlem women, using a population-based household survey. One half of the Harlem women in this sample consumed no or one fruit or vegetable per day. Logistic regression analyses revealed that women who consumed more fruits and vegetables had received more recent mammography, and that women who were unemployed were less likely to receive recent breast cancer screening than were those who worked full- or part-time. The high response rate and the representativeness of the sample are study strengths. Owing to the small sample size for women between 40-65, the ages for which screening mammography and clinical breast exam are recommended, subgroup analyses were limited. Therefore, additional study of age-adjusted dietary patterns and screening among African American women is suggested.

Predictors of tobacco control among nursing students

As the most numerous health care providers, nurses could reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional survey of 476 junior and senior students at 12 schools of nursing in the New York metropolitan area was conducted, to determine nurse knowledge of tobacco control, their attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Overall, 76% of all nursing students reported that they practiced tobacco control. Current smokers were less likely to participate in tobacco control with targets ranging from the nurse herself to the community than either never or ex-smokers. Nurses were more likely to engage in tobacco control among individual, family, or group clients than to advocate for changes in the community. Student nurses who were African American or Hispanic, had never smoked or were ex-smokers, those who had better knowledge of cessation approaches, and those who tended to have more confidence in their cessation counseling skills were more likely to engage in multi-target tobacco control than other similar nurses. Tailored interventions that emphasize discrete counseling skills are suggested.

Cancer education among primary care physicians in an underserved community

INTRODUCTION

Urban minority groups, such as those living in north Manhattan, are generally underserved with regard to cancer prevention and screening practices. Primary care physicians are in a critical position to counsel their patients on these subjects and to order screening tests for their patients.

METHODS

Eighty-four primary care physicians in two intervention communities who received educational visits about cancer screening and prevention were compared with 38 physicians in a nearby community who received no intervention. With pre- and post-test interviews over an 18-month period, the physicians were asked about their attitudes toward, knowledge of (relative to American Cancer Society guidelines), and likelihood of counseling and screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers.

RESULTS

Comparison of the two surveys of physicians indicated no statistically significant differences in knowledge of cancer prevention or screening. At post-test, however, intervention group physicians identified significantly fewer barriers to practice than control physicians (p<0.05). While overall, the educational visits to inner-city primary care physicians did not appear to significantly alter cancer prevention practices, there was a positive dose-response relationship among the subgroup of participants who received three or more project contacts.

CONCLUSIONS

We uncovered significant changes in attitude due to academic detailing among urban primary care physicians practicing in north Manhattan. A significant pre-test sensitization effect and small numbers may have masked overall changes in cancer prevention and screening behaviors among physicians due to the intervention.

Student nurse opinions about the importance of health promotion practices

Senior nursing students (N = 505) attending 13 schools in the NY metropolitan area were administered a questionnaire to assess their beliefs about the importance of health promotion behaviors to the average person. Respondents rated 23 health promotion practices on a Likert scale. The five most important items concerned: knowledge of drug contents and their side effects; the elimination of cigarette and cigar smoking; eating a balanced diet; and using a seat belt. The least important item concerned having an annual exercise test. These results were similar to those found for other health care providers, including physicians, dietitians, and pharmacists. Further, the results were similar to those found in an earlier survey of student nurses. Nurses' attitudes and beliefs seem supportive of health promotion and disease prevention. These attitudes also seem associated with the nurse's role as health promoter. Positive nurse attitudes/beliefs toward health promotion are posited as precursors to the alteration of patient behaviors, although further exploration in this area is needed.

Cost-outcome analysis and service planning in a CMHC

The outcome of outpatient treatment of 497 children and 396 adults at a large community mental health and mental retardation center was associated with cost of services and with clients' number of sessions, length of stay, and density of treatment. The cost of one hour of outpatient services averaged $53.15 for adults and $52.32 for children. Treatment outcome was not directly related to cost of treatment, but clients who regressed used more resources than did clients whose conditions remained the same. Adults who improved were in therapy for a shorter period than were adults who became worse, but they were treated more times per month. The cost-outcome analysis methodology described here can be useful in forecasting the effects of budget reductions on case mix and treatment outcome, in developing effective service models for various funding levels, and in identifying optimal caseloads.