Costs after incident breast cancer diagnosis among high-deductible health plan members

120

Background: High-deductible health plans (HDHP) are associated with breast cancer treatment delays of up to 10 months, but their impact on health outcomes is unknown. We hypothesized that, compared with women in generous plans, HDHP members would present with more advanced disease and thus experience higher total costs of early care. Methods: We studied 2004-2014 claims data from a large US health insurer. We included women aged 25-64 who were in traditional low-deductible (≤$500) health plans for 1 baseline year then experienced either an employer-mandated switch to HDHPs (≥$1000) for up to 4 or years or an employer-mandated continuation in low deductible plans. We defined the HDHP switch date as the index date. We then restricted to women who developed incident breast cancer after the index date. Using baseline characteristics, we closely matched HDHP members with incident breast cancer to contemporaneous women with incident breast cancer who remained in low-deductible plans. We measured total costs of all health care services in the 60 days after incident breast cancer diagnosis as a proxy for the intensity of incident breast cancer care. We used negative binomial regression adjusted for baseline characteristics to compare total 60-day costs among HDHP and control members. We also subset analyses to low-income women. Results: We included 1514 HDHP members and 9283 matched controls. 60-day costs after incident breast cancer diagnosis were $24,151 (95% CI: $22,766, $25,535) among HDHP members and $22,474 ($21,952, $22,996) among controls, an absolute difference of $1677 ($197, $3156) and a relative difference of 7.5% (8.1%, 14.1%). Low-income HDHP members had corresponding absolute and relative differences of $2653 ($368, $4939) and 12.5% (1.5%, 23.5). Conclusions: HDHP members with incident breast cancer had 7.5% higher health care costs in the 60 days after incident breast cancer than women with more generous coverage, a finding driven 12.5% higher costs among low-income HDHP members. Results raise concerns that delays in breast cancer care among HDHP members are associated with more advanced disease and adverse outcomes.

Underuse of ECG monitoring in oncology patients receiving QT-interval prolonging drugs

OBJECTIVE

We examined use of ECG monitoring in oncology patients prescribed QT-prolonging drugs.

METHODS

Patients ≥66 years diagnosed with cancer between 2005 and 2011 were identified through the Ontario Cancer Registry and linked to multiple population-based administrative databases to ascertain demographics, comorbidities, prescription drug use, systemic therapy and ECG. QT-prolonging drugs were identified as per drug lists developed by the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine factors associated with ECG use in patients on first-line systemic therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 48 236 patients (median age 74; 49% women) received one or more drugs associated with a risk of QT-interval prolongation but only 27% of patients had an ECG performed. Factors associated with more ECG use on multivariable analysis included recent cancer diagnosis (p for trend <0.001 between 2005 and 2011), use of concurrent QT-prolonging drugs (OR=1.15 per each additional QT-prolonging drug, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.17) and the presence of coronary artery disease (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.25 to 1.38) and heart failure (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.35). Use of anticancer (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.79) and antiemetic (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99) QT-prolonging drugs was paradoxically associated with less ECG use.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights common use of QT-prolonging drugs and underuse of ECG in oncology patients. Since ECG is an inexpensive, non-invasive and widely available test, it may be readily incorporated in the monitoring of patients for toxicities in routine clinical practice.

The impact of routine ESAS use on overall survival: Results of a population-based retrospective matched cohort analysis

6509

Background: The study objective was to examine the impact of routine Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) use on overall survival among adult cancer patients. We hypothesized that patients exposed to ESAS would have better overall survival rates than those who didn’t have ESAS. Methods: The effect of ESAS screening on survival was evaluated in a retrospective matched cohort study. The cohort included all Ontario patients aged 18 or older who were diagnosed with cancer between 2007 and 2015. Patients completing at least one ESAS assessment during the study were considered exposed. The index date was the day of their first ESAS assessment. Follow up time for each patient was segmented into one of three phases: initial, continuing, or palliative care. Exposed and unexposed patients were matched 1:1 using hard (birth year ± 2 years, cancer diagnosis date ± 1 year, cancer type and sex) and propensity-score matching (14 measures including cancer stage, treatments received, and comorbidity). Matched patients were followed until death or the end of study at Dec 31, 2015. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression were used to evaluate the impact of ESAS on survival. Results: There were 128,893 pairs well matched on all baseline characteristics (standardized difference < 0.1). The probability of survival within the first 5 years was higher among those exposed to ESAS compared to those who were not (73.8% vs. 72.0%, P-value < 0.0001). In the multivariable Cox regression model, ESAS assessment was significantly associated with a decreased mortality risk (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.48-0.49) and this protective effect was seen across all phases. Conclusions: ESAS exposure is associated with improved survival in cancer patients, in all phases of care. To the extent possible, extensive matching methods have mitigated biases inherent to observational data. This provides real world evidence of the impact of routine symptom assessment in cancer care.

Comparison of outcomes in a population-based cohort of women with metastatic breast cancer receiving anti-HER2 therapy with clinical trial outcomes

1037

Background: Little data exist for comparing cardiac safety and survival outcomes of anti-HER2 therapy with concurrent trastuzumab (T) and pertuzumab (P) or ado-T emtansine (TDM1) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients enrolled in randomized clinical trial (RCT) vs those in the real world. Furthermore, whether older patients have worse outcomes is unknown. Methods: This was a retrospective population-based cohort of all women with MBC treated with concurrent T with P or TDM1 in Ontario (between 2012 and 2017), identified from New Drug Funding Program and linked to Ontario Cancer Registry and other administrative datasets. Outcomes were incident heart failure (HF, defined as hospitalization or emergency room visit for HF) and overall survival (OS). RCT data were obtained from digitizing survival curves as per established methods and compared with cohort OS data using log-rank test. Age based comparison of outcomes was conducted for women ≥ 65 years old vs younger. Results: Our cohort composed of 833 (28% > 64 years old), and 397 (28% > 64 years old) women treated with P and TDM1, respectively, of which 46 and 30 had baseline HF, respectively. 49% and 99.5% of women received T prior to P and TDM1, respectively. Incident HF following P or TDM1 initiation was low (P 26 women, TDM1 8 women; Table). HF events was not more in women ≥ 65 years old compared to women < 65 treated with P (16 vs. 10, p = 0.23). Unadjusted OS was significantly worse than RCT OS (Table; P HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.37-2.03, p < 0.0001; TDM1 HR 2.80, 95% CI 2.27-3.44, p < 0.0001). Older women had worse OS than younger women for P (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.22-1.96, p = 0.0003), but not for TDM1 (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.81-1.43, p = 0.62). Conclusions: HF incidence during P or TDM1 therapy in this real world cohort was relatively low. Survival in this cohort was significantly worse compared to RCT, particularly for older women, suggesting importance of evaluating effectiveness in an unselected patient population to facilitate informed decision-making based on real-world risks and survival outcomes.[Table: see text]

A weighted criterion-based approach to value assessment of oncology drugs

6627

Background: The rising cost of anti-cancer therapy has motivated recent efforts to quantify the overall value of new cancer treatments. Multi-criteria decision analysis offers a novel approach to establish an explicit framework to evaluate new cancer treatments. Methods: We recruited a diverse multi-stakeholder group who identified and weighted key criteria to establish the Drug Assessment Framework (DAF). Strength of evidence (SOE) modifiers deducted points for lower quality evidence. Through one-on-one meetings with stakeholders, face and content validity of the DAF were established in an iterative process. Construct validity assessed the degree to which DAF scores were associated with the pan-Canadian oncology drug review (pCODR) funding decisions and European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit score (ESMO-MCBS, version 1.1). Sensitivity analyses were performed on the final results. Results: The final validated DAF includes ten criteria: overall survival, progression-free survival, response rate, quality-of-life, toxicity, unmet need, equity, feasibility, disease severity and caregiver well-being. The first five clinical benefit criteria represent 64% of the total weight. DAF scores range from 0 to 300, reflecting both the expected impact of the drug and the quality of the supporting evidence. When the DAF was retrospectively applied to the last 60 drugs (in blinded fashion) reviewed by pCODR (2015-2018), the mean total DAF score was 94 (range, 18-179). Drugs with positive pCODR funding recommendation had higher DAF scores than drugs not recommended for reimbursement (103 vs. 63, t-test p = 0.0007). Funded drugs had fewer SOE points deducted than those that were not funded (median 0 vs. 24 points deducted, Wilcoxon p = 0.03). The correlation coefficient for DAF and ESMO-MCBS was 0.37 (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.59). Sensitivity analyses that varied the subjective criteria either positively or negatively did not change the results. Conclusions: Using a structured and explicit approach, a criterion-based valuation framework was designed and validated. The DAF can provide a transparent and consistent method to value and prioritize cancer drugs, in order to facilitate the delivery of affordable cancer care.

Moving toward the elimination of cervical cancer: modelling the health and economic benefits of increasing uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines

Background

The human papillomavirus (hpv) is a common sexually transmitted infection and a primary cause of cervical cancer. The Government of Canada has set a target of reaching 90% hpv vaccine coverage among adolescents by 2025. Here, we examine hpv vaccine uptake in school-based immunization programs across Canada and explore how achieving the 90% target could affect the future incidence of cervical cancer, mortality, and health system expenditures in a cohort of Canadian women.

Methods

Data for hpv vaccine uptake in the most recent reported school year available in each jurisdiction were provided in 2017 by jurisdictional school-based immunization programs and were used to estimate a national weighted average of 67%. The OncoSim microsimulation model (version 2.5) was used to compare 3 different levels of hpv vaccine uptake (0%, 67%, 90%) on health and economic outcomes for a hypothetical cohort of all 5- to 10-year-old girls in Canada in 2015.

Results

Vaccine uptake for girls in school-based programs varied from 55.0% to 92.0% in the jurisdictions reviewed. The OncoSim model projects that increasing uptake to 90% from 67% would result in a 23% reduction in cervical cancer incidence rates (to 3.1 cases from 4.0 cases per 100,000, averaged across the lifetime of the cohort) and a 23% decline in the average annual mortality rate (to 1.0 deaths from 1.3 deaths per 100,000). Finally, the model projects that the health system will incur a cost of $9 million (1% increase) during the lifetime of the cohort if uptake is increased to 90% from 67%. Costs are discounted (1.5%) and expressed in 2016 Canadian dollars. Costs reflect the payer perspective.

Conclusions

Our model shows that increasing hpv vaccine uptake to 90% from current levels for girls in school-based immunization programs could result in substantial reductions in the future incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in Canada.

Vulnerable And Less Vulnerable Women In High-Deductible Health Plans Experienced Delayed Breast Cancer Care

The effects of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among vulnerable populations are unknown. We examined time to first breast cancer diagnostic testing, diagnosis, and chemotherapy among a group of women whose employers switched their insurance coverage from health plans with low deductibles ($500 or less) to plans with high deductibles ($1,000 or more) between 2004 and 2014. Primary subgroups of interest comprised 54,403 low-income and 76,776 high-income women continuously enrolled in low-deductible plans for a year and then up to four years in HDHPs. Matched controls had contemporaneous low-deductible enrollment. Low-income women in HDHPs experienced relative delays of 1.6 months to first breast imaging, 2.7 months to first biopsy, 6.6 months to incident early-stage breast cancer diagnosis, and 8.7 months to first chemotherapy. High-income HDHP members had shorter delays that did not differ significantly from those of their low-income counterparts. HDHP members living in metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, predominantly white, and predominantly nonwhite areas also experienced delayed breast cancer care. Policies may be needed to reduce out-of-pocket spending obligations for breast cancer care.

Survival and cost associated with chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy among resected pancreas cancer patients

351

Background: Pancreas cancer is expensive to treat, and the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and chemoradiation (CRT) following resection is debated. We compared both survival and healthcare costs by adjuvant therapy after curative-intent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreas adenocarcinoma (PC). Methods: All patients with resected PC in Ontario, Canada diagnosed 2004 to 2014 were identified and linked to administrative healthcare databases. Stratified Kaplan—Meier survival curves and log-rank test compared survival across treatment groups. Costs were assessed from the perspective of Ontario’s single-payer healthcare system and compared between CT and CRT. A one-year time horizon was used from the date of surgery. Results: 677 PC patients met all inclusion/exclusion criteria and underwent curative-intent PD with 77% receiving CT and 23% CRT. Median survival after resection was 21.7 and 18.9 months for CT and CRT groups, respectively. Patients receiving CRT were less likely to have high comorbidity burden (ADG ≥ 10), but were similar across other demographics. CRT patients were more likely to have margin positive disease. In a subgroup of 489 patients with margin negative disease, median survival in the node negative patients (n = 156) was 28.0 months for CRT and 24.7 months for CT (p = 0.8297, logrank). Median survival in the node positive patients (n = 333) was 20.6 months and 21.8 months for the CRT and CT patients, respectively (p = 0.9856, logrank). The median total one-year cost for CT was $52,575 (USD); CRT was $68,216 (Table 1). Conclusions: Patients who underwent adjuvant CT and CRT after PD for PC had similar overall survival, but healthcare expenditures were significantly higher in the CRT group. [Table: see text]

Provider-volume associated with variable receipt of therapy and outcomes for noncurative pancreas adenocarcinoma: A population-based analysis

352

Background: While high-volume providers for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) surgery yield better outcomes, variation in practice and the role of provider-volume has not been investigated for systemic therapy. We examined variation in practice and outcomes in the management of non-curative PA, based on medical oncology provider-volume. Methods: We conducted a population based retrospective cohort study of non-resected PA over 2005-2016 by linking administrative healthcare datasets. High-volume (HV) medical-oncology providers were defined as the 5th quintile of number of PA seen per provider per year. Outcomes were receipt of chemotherapy and overall survival (OS). Brown Forsythe Levene (BFL) test for equality of variances assessed outcomes variability between provider-volume quintiles (Q1 to 5). Multivariate regressions examined the association between management by HV provider and receipt of systemic therapy and OS. Results: Of 10,881 non-curative PA patients, 7,062 consulted with medical oncology. Among 341 medical oncology providers, 3% were HV, defined as > 16 patients/year. There was variability in receipt of chemotherapy based on provider-volume, with 44% (IQR: 25-54) for Q1 and 47% (IQR: 43-54) for Q5, and in median survival, with 4.1 months (IQR: 2.7-6.2) for Q1 and 7.5 months (IQR: 6.6-8.0) for Q5. Variability between provider-volume quintiles was significant for receipt of chemotherapy and median survival (both BFL p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity burden, rurality, income quintile, and diagnosis year, HV provider was independently associated with higher odds of receiving chemotherapy (OR 1.19 [1.05-1.34]), and superior OS (HR 0.79 [0.74-0.84]). Conclusions: There was significant variation in non-curative management and outcomes of PA based on provider-volume. Management by a HV provider was independently associated with higher odds of receiving chemotherapy and superior OS, after adjusting for case-mix. This information is important to inform disease care pathways and care organization. Cancer care systems could consider initiatives to increase the number of HV providers to reduce variation and improve outcomes.

Undertreatment of noncurative pancreatic adenocarcinoma?: A population-based analysis of patterns of care

439

Background: Noncurative pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) portends a guarded prognosis. Advancements in systemic therapy have improved this outlook. It is unknown whether patients get access to these therapies. We sought to define patterns of access to care and therapy for noncurative PA. Methods: We conducted a population-based analysis of nonresected PA over 2005-2016 by linking administrative healthcare datasets. Primary outcome was nonreceipt of cancer-directed therapy (radiation/chemotherapy; NRCDT). The first contact and overall consultations with specialized care (surgery, medical, or radiation oncology) were examined. Multivariate models examined factors associated with NRCDT. Results: Of 10,881 patients surviving a mean of 3.3 months (IQR: 1.2-8.5), 62% had NRCDT. More of patients of older age (65% of 71-80 years old, 89% of ≥81 years old), high comorbidity burden (68%), and lower socioeconomic status (69%), had NRCDT. Distance from residence to nearest cancer centre did not differ based on NRCDT. 35% of all patients did not see medical oncology, including 56% of NRCDT patients; 17% had no consultation with specialists. First contact with specialized care was surgery for 55% of all patients, and 50% with NRCDT. Most patients saw palliative care (81%) at median 27 days (IQR: 9-75) after diagnosis. Older age (OR 0.42 [0.37-0.48], and OR 0.14 [0.12-0.16] for 71-80 and ≥81 years old respectively), lowest income quintile (OR 0.62 [0.54-0.71]) and rurality (OR 0.63 [0.56-0.71]) were independently associated with lower odds of seeing medical oncology. First contact with oncology was independently associated with higher odds of receiving therapy (OR 1.48 [1.34-1.62]), compared to surgery. Conclusions: The majority of patients with noncurative PA did not receive cancer-directed therapy. Of those, more than half did not see medical oncology. While some patients may not be eligible to therapy, we identified disparities in receipt of cancer-directed therapy that indicate potential gaps in assessment for therapy and undertreatment, especially for vulnerable populations. This information is important to optimize access to and delivery of evidence-based care, and improve PA outcomes.

Is Performance Status Associated with Symptom Scores?

Background: Symptom scores and performance status are both important measures for patients with cancer. However, since performance status is not often part of routinely collected data, there is interest in exploring whether it can be calculated from symptom scores. Methods: This was a population-based longitudinal study of cancer outpatients in Ontario, Canada in the year following their cancer diagnosis and among the subset of patients during the last year of their lives. Results: In the first year after diagnosis, there was a significant relationship between performance status and fatigue and appetite; fatigue and well-being had a significant association with performance status in the last year of life. In both periods, the associations, although statistically significant, were not large enough to be clinically meaningful. Conclusion: Performance status is an important measurement that cannot be substituted or captured with symptom scores; it is important for healthcare providers to record performance scores on a regular basis.

Initiation of Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients with Poor Performance Status: A Population-Based Analysis

Objective: Practice guidelines indicate that patients who have months to weeks left to live should not be offered chemotherapy. We examined factors associated with clinician-reported poor performance status as determined by the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) and subsequent initiation of intravenous (IV) chemotherapy in an ambulatory cancer population in Ontario, Canada. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who had at least one PPS assessment indicating poor performance status (a PPS score of 50 or lower) comprised the study cohort. Using linked administrative databases, we observed the cohort for initiation of IV chemotherapy within 30 days of the first (index) poor PPS assessment. Results: We excluded patients for whom IV or oral chemotherapy was on going or recently completed or whose performance status improved following the index assessment. Of the remaining cohort, 9.3 percent (264/2,842) received IV chemotherapy within 30 days of the index PPS. Conclusion: A small number of cancer patients with poor performance status began IV chemotherapy in the month following assessment.

Objectif: Les directives de pratiques cliniques recommandent que l'on ne propose pas de traitements de chimiothérapie aux patients présentant une espérance de survie de quelques semaines à quelques mois. Nous avons examiné, chez un groupe de patients atteints du cancer en Ontario, au Canada, les éléments associés au faible statut des malades selon les paramètres de l'Έchelle de performance pour soins palliatifs afin d'identifier les facteurs qui ont déterminé l'amorce de la chimiothérapie. Méthode: Cette étude rétrospective comprenait les patients chez qui lors du test d'évaluation de performance on avait noté au moins un élément négatif, soit un score de performance de 50 ou moins. En utilisant plusieurs banques de données administratives interreliées, nous avons étudié cette cohorte de patients devant être traités par chimiothérapie au cours de la période de 30 jours suivant leur évaluation. Résultats: Nous avons exclu les patients pour lesquels le traitement de chimiothérapie orale ou intraveineuse était déjà en cours ou récemment terminé ou ceux dont le statut s'était amélioré selon l'Έchelle de performance. De la partie restante de la cohorte, 9,3 pourcent (264/2 842) ont reçu le traitement par voie intraveineuse à l'intérieur des 30 jours suivant l'indice de l'Έchelle de performance. Conclusion: Un petit nombre de patients ayant un faible statut ont commencé la traitement de chimiothérapie au cours du mois suivant l'évaluation.

Can administrative data improve the performance of clinical trial economic analyses?

2

Background: Economic analyses of trials often rely on trial-collected health resource utilization data, which is expensive and may be incompletely recorded. We investigated whether routinely collected health administrative data (RCD) can be utilized to improve trial economic analysis performance. Methods: Health administrative data was probabilistically linked to Ontario patient data from the Canadian Cancer Trials Group CO.17 trial (n = 572), evaluating cetuximab plus best supportive care (n = 75 linked Ontario patients) versus best supportive care alone (n = 73). Completeness of trial data was compared to RCD. Cost-effectiveness in 2007 Canadian dollars was determined using RCD up to trial date of last contact (DOLC), and up to RCD DOLC. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) confidence intervals (CI) were determined using bootstrapping with 5000 iterations. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were determined. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 148 Ontario patients, up to trial DOLC, RCD vital status was concordant in > 96%. 29 deaths occurred after trial DOLC. Up to trial DOLC there were 34 net additional hospitalizations in RCD, and 28 net additional emergency room visits. Using RCD, total cetuximab group costs were $3,023,034, and $1,191,118 for best supportive care alone up to trial DOLC. Cost difference was driven by cetuximab drug costs ($1,531,370). Using RCD, the ICER was $211,128 per life-year gained (90% CI: $101,396, $694,950) when data was limited to trial DOLC, and $164,378 (90% CI: -$138,260, $644,555) using routinely collected data DOLC. ICER estimates were similar to the original economic analysis using trial-collected data ($199,742 (95% CI $125,973, $652,492)). Estimates were robust in sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: Administrative data were more complete than trial-collected utilization data, even under optimal conditions. There was also longer follow-up. We found that cost differences were robust to varying costing assumptions. Our findings demonstrate the potential of administrative data sources to relieve institutions, sponsors and patients from the burden of collecting key utilization information which requires considerable effort and cost.

Active identification of patients appropriate for palliative care: Impact on use of palliative care and home care resources

101

Background: This research evaluates whether active identification of patients who may benefit from a palliative approach to care changes the use of palliative care and home care services. Methods: Between 2014 and 2017, Cancer Care Ontario implemented the INTEGRATE project at 4 cancer centres and 4 primary care teams. Physicians in participating sites were encouraged to systematically identify patients who were likely to die within 1 year and would benefit from a palliative approach to care. Patients in the INTEGRATE intervention group were 1:1 matched to non-intervention controls selected from provincial healthcare administrative data based on a publicly funded health system using the propensity score-matching. Palliative care and home care services utilization was evaluated within 1 year after the date of identification (index date), censoring on death, or March 31, 2017, the study end date. Cumulative incidence function was used to estimate the probability of having used care services, with death as a competing event. Rate of service use per 360 patient-days was calculated. Analyses were done separately for palliative care and home care. Results: Of the 1,187 patients in the INTEGRATE project, 1,185 were matched to a control. The intervention and the control groups were well-balanced on demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, and death status. The probability of using palliative services in the intervention group was 80.3%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (62.4%) with more palliative care visits in the intervention group [29.7 (95%CI: 29.4 to 30.1] per 360 patient-days) than in the control group [19.6 (95%CI: 19.3 to 19.9) per 360 patient-days]. The intervention group had a greater probability of receiving home care (81.4%) than the control group (55.2%) with more homecare visits per 360 patient-days [64.7 (95%CI: 64.2 to 65.3) vs. 35.3 (95%CI: 34.9 to 35.7)] The intervention group also had higher physician home visits as compared to the control group (36.5% vs. 23.7%). Conclusions: Physicians actively identifying patients that would benefit from palliative care resulted in increased use of palliative care and home care services.

The impact of routine ESAS use on receiving palliative care services: Results of a population-based retrospective matched cohort analysis

191

Background: In 2007 Cancer Care Ontario began standardized symptom assessment as part of routine clinical care using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of this program on referrals to palliative care. We hypothesized that patients exposed to ESAS would be more likely to be referred. Methods: A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted to examine the impact of ESAS screening on the initiation of palliative care services provided by physician or homecare nurse among newly diagnosed cancer patients in Ontario, Canada. The study included all adult patients who were diagnosed with cancer between 2007 and 2015. Exposure was defined as completing ≥1 ESAS during the study period. Using four hard matched variables and propensity-score matching with 14 variables, cancer patients exposed to ESAS were matched 1:1 to those who were not. Matched patients were followed from first ESAS until initiation of palliative care, death or the end of study at Mar 31, 2017. Results: The final cohort consisted of 204,688 matched patients with no prior palliative care consult. The pairs were well matched. The probability of receiving palliative care within the first 5 years was higher among those exposed to ESAS compared to those who were not (20.6% vs. 15.2%, p < .0001). The risk of death without receipt of palliative care within the same period was low in both groups. In the adjusted cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model, ESAS assessment was associated with a 6% increase in palliative care services (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.08). Conclusions: Cancer patients who completed ESAS were more likely to initiate palliative care services than those who didn’t. ESAS screening may help identify patients who would benefit from a palliative approach to care earlier in their clinical course.

Impact of Follow-Up Colonoscopy Quality on Canadian Colorectal Cancer Outcomes and Costs

Background: Most colorectal cancer (CRC) cases develop from precancerous polyps. Screening using fecal testing for occult blood, with follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy to remove polyps, can prevent invasive cancer from occurring. However, there is variation in the quality of colonoscopy, which may result in nonoptimal health outcomes. Aim: We evaluated the impact of follow-up colonoscopy quality on health outcomes, resource utilization and costs using the OncoSim-CRC microsimulation model (version 2.5). Methods: OncoSim is a microsimulation model led by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer with model development by Statistics Canada. We compared results of high quality follow-up colonoscopy after positive fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) (colonoscopy sensitivity for cancer detection= 95%; compliance to follow-up colonoscopy = 85%) with that of reduced quality colonoscopy. Variations in colonoscopy performance were simulated through plausible overall effectiveness reduction (ER) and incomplete colonoscopy (IC). Screening system/patient follow-up deficiencies were simulated through poor compliance to diagnostic colonoscopy (PC). Modeling assumptions included: Biennial FIT screening of average-risk people aged 50-74; positive FIT followed by diagnostic colonoscopy; ER = 20% reduction in overall sensitivity; IC = zero sensitivity in proximal colon; PC = compliance reduction by 50%. Overall cost was calculated for 2017-2036 in undiscounted 2016 CAD, and included screening, treatment and end-of-life costs. Results: Compared with high quality colonoscopy follow-up, incomplete colonoscopy with poor compliance over 20 years led to as many as 12% new cases of CRC; 23% more CRC deaths; 89% more interval cancers; and 6% increased costs to the health care system, annually. Conclusion: Reduced colonoscopy quality can lead to considerable declines in the predicted effectiveness of screening and to increased costs to the healthcare system. Efforts to increase and maintain colonoscopy performance is a necessary component of CRC control planning.

Geographic Variation in Colorectal Cancer Incidence and the Disparities in the Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors Across Canada

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. There is wide geographic variation in incidence with rates varying ten-fold between high- and low-income countries. This heavy burden can be mitigated given previous research has estimated that nearly half of all colorectal cancer cases could have been prevented through healthier diets and physically active lifestyles. In Canada, there is considerable geographic variation in age-adjusted incidence rates for colorectal cancer between jurisdictions, greater than that seen for many other cancers. These wide variations likely reflect differences in the prevalence of risk factors across provinces and territories. Aim: To describe the extent of the variation in colorectal cancer incidence rates across Canada and the disparities in the prevalence of modifiable risk factors across jurisdictions known to contribute to this burden. Methods: Colorectal cancer incident cases were obtained from the Canadian Cancer Registry; 2014 was used for provinces (except Quebec where 2010 was the most recent year available) and years 2012 to 2014 were combined to achieve more stable rates for the territories, which are much smaller in population. Data on four known modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer (excess weight, physical inactivity, alcohol intake and low fruit and vegetable consumption) were obtained from the 2015-16 combined Canadian Community Health Survey. Results: Findings suggest that there is a north-south and east-west gradient in colorectal cancer modifiable risk factors in Canada. For instance, the percentage of adults with excess body weight ranged from 56.8% in British Columbia (west) to 73.1% in New Brunswick (east) and the percentage of adults not meeting physical activity guidelines ranged from 31.8% in Yukon (north) to 50.3% in New Brunswick (east). Generally, this pattern also reflects colorectal cancer incidence rates. The highest prevalence of modifiable risk factors and rates of colorectal cancer are typically in the northern (territories) and eastern provinces of Canada. Conclusion: The global burden of colorectal cancer is expected to increase by nearly 60% by 2030; therefore, targeted interventions are needed to ensure there is not a widening gap in colorectal cancer burden worldwide. Based on current knowledge, the most effective approaches to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer include: 1) adopting public policies that make healthy choices easier and create healthier environments where people live, work and play, and 2) continuing emphasis on screening and early detection. Strategic approaches to addressing modifiable risk factors, as well as mechanisms for detecting colorectal cancer before it develops, have the potential to translate into positive effects on population health and less people developing and dying from cancer.

International meta-analysis of 684,660 men with vasectomies: a study utilising the International Population Data Linkage Network

IntroductionEvidence on the effect of vasectomy and vasectomy reversal on risk of prostate cancer is conflicting, with the issue of detection bias a key criticism. In this study we examined the effect of vasectomy reversal on prostate cancer risk in a cohort of vasectomised men. Objectives and ApproachA proof of concept study involving the International Population Data Linkage Network which pooled aggregated result data from participating centres in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. De-identified linked data extractions took place at each centre. Each participating centre locally conducted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis compared the risk of prostate cancer in those with/without vasectomy reversal in a cohort of vasectomised men. These results were then combined in a meta-analysis. Evidence of a protective effect of vasectomy reversal would suggest the harmful effect of vasectomy on prostate cancer risk, while nullifying detection bias. ResultsData were received from Australia (the states of Western Australia and New South Wales), Canada (the province of Ontario), Wales and Scotland. In total, there were 9,754 men with vasectomy reversals, and 684,660 men with a vasectomy. The combined analysis showed no protective effect of vasectomy reversal on incidence of prostate cancer when compared to those who had vasectomy alone (HR, 95%CI: 0.92, 0.70-1.21). As such, the results align with previous studies which found little or no evidence of a link between vasectomy and prostate cancer. Conclusion/ImplicationsThe study, originally conceived at the first IPDLN meeting in London, found no obvious protective effect of vasectomy reversal on prostate cancer in vasectomised men. The project demonstrated the utility and feasibility of collaborative studies fostered through the IPDLN, despite methodological challenges faced when aggregating international data.