Comparison of care process for newly diagnosed breast cancer in insured versus uninsured populations: Opportunities for improving health equity.

Authors

null

Gehan Botrus

Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ

Gehan Botrus , Natalie Ertz-Archambault , Nellie Nafissi , Miguel Gonzalez Velez , Heidi E. Kosiorek , Brenda Ernst , Donald W. Northfelt

Organizations

Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, Rutgers University Medical School, Newark, NJ, Department of Statistics, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: Initiatives enhancing equitable oncologic care are an increasingly emphasized priority. Our study aims to identify aspects of breast cancer (BC) care in which differences exist based on insurance coverage status. Methods: We performed a retrospective, case control study consisting of 39 Hispanic ethnicity uninsured patients (UP) with newly diagnosed BC at federally qualified health centers and 119 insured patients (IP) diagnosed at Mayo Clinic Arizona (MCA). Patients were matched 3:1 for age, stage, year of diagnosis, ER and HER2 status. Demographic information, clinical variables, and zip code level specific socioeconomic information were compared. Continuous variables were compared by Wilcoxon rank-sum test and categorical variables by chi-square test. All patients ultimately received their cancer treatment at MCA. Results: Similar treatment patterns with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatment were observed between groups. Primary language was Spanish for 94% of UP and English for 97.5% of IP. The majority of UP were of Hispanic ethnicity (97.4%); IP were 83.2% non-Hispanic White, 9.2% Hispanic, 3.4% African American. Zip code level information reflected more unemployment with a median of 10.6% versus 6.9% p ˂ 0.001, percent of high school or lower (53.0 % v 23.2 %, p ˂ 0.001), and lower income for UP (33733.5 v 64728.0 p values ˂ 0.001). UP BMI was significantly higher (30.6 V 24.7, p=0.005), with presence of more co-morbidities; diabetes (28.2% v 5.0%, p ˂ 0.001), hypertension (35.9 % v 20.2%, p= 0.046), dyslipidemia (28.2% v 12.6%, p = 0.023), metabolic syndrome (p 23.7% v 8.5, p= 0.013), and tobacco use (17.9% v 2.5%, p ˂ 0.001). IP had higher alcohol use (52.9% v 5.3%, p ˂ 0.001). Genetics consultation was performed for 62.2% IP versus 35.9% UP (p=0.004), lower acceptance of oncology nutrition consultation for UP (29.4% vs 7.4%, p= 0.024) Median time from abnormal mammogram to biopsy (25.5 days vs. 14 days, p=0.056), and interval from diagnosis to treatment (62 days vs. 39 days) (p=0.001) were less favorable for UP compared to IP. Conclusions: In comparing the status of UP (primarily Hispanic, Spanish-speaking) and IP (primarily non-Hispanic White, English-speaking) with newly diagnosed BC we identified greater prevalence of co-morbidities and adverse social determinants of health in the former group. We identified access to genetic counseling services, access to oncology nutrition consultation, and timeliness of diagnostic biopsy and initiation of treatment as disparate features in the care pathway. These observations can allow development of tailored interventions to achieve greater equity in delivery of BC care.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Health Services Research and Quality Improvement

Track

Quality Care/Health Services Research

Sub Track

Access to Care

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 15; abstr e18518)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.e18518

Abstract #

e18518

Abstract Disclosures