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Davis LE, Strumpf EC, Patel SV, Mahar AL. Income differences in time to colon cancer diagnosis. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6999. [PMID: 39096087 PMCID: PMC11297540 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People with low income have worse outcomes throughout the cancer care continuum; however, little is known about income and the diagnostic interval. We described diagnostic pathways by neighborhood income and investigated the association between income and the diagnostic interval. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of colon cancer patients diagnosed 2007-2019 in Ontario using routinely collected data. The diagnostic interval was defined as the number of days from the first colon cancer encounter to diagnosis. Asymptomatic pathways were defined as first encounter with a colonoscopy or guaiac fecal occult blood test not occurring in the emergency department and were examined separately from symptomatic pathways. Quantile regression was used to determine the association between neighborhood income quintile and the conditional 50th and 90th percentile diagnostic interval controlling for age, sex, rural residence, and year of diagnosis. RESULTS A total of 64,303 colon cancer patients were included. Patients residing in the lowest income neighborhoods were more likely to be diagnosed through symptomatic pathways and in the emergency department. Living in low-income neighborhoods was associated with longer 50th and 90th-percentile symptomatic diagnostic intervals compared to patients living in the highest income neighborhoods. For example, the 90th percentile diagnostic interval was 15 days (95% CI 6-23) longer in patients living in the lowest income neighborhoods compared to the highest. CONCLUSION These findings reveal income inequities during the diagnostic phase of colon cancer. Future work should determine pathways to reducing inequalities along the diagnostic interval and evaluate screening and diagnostic assessment programs from an equity perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Davis
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
- ICESTorontoCanada
| | - Erin C. Strumpf
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
- Department of EconomicsMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | | | - Alyson L. Mahar
- ICESTorontoCanada
- School of NursingQueen's UniversityKingstonCanada
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Kempf E, Chatellier G. [Social deprivation: A key risk marker in oncology, even in rich countries]. Bull Cancer 2024; 111:625-627. [PMID: 38821773 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Kempf
- Département d'oncologie médicale, GHU Henri-Mondor, université Paris-Est Créteil, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France.
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Bourgeois A, Horrill T, Mollison A, Stringer E, Lambert LK, Stajduhar K. Barriers to cancer treatment for people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage in high-income countries: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:670. [PMID: 38807237 PMCID: PMC11134650 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11129-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in cancer research and treatment, the burden of cancer is not evenly distributed. People experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage have higher rates of cancer, later stage at diagnoses, and are dying of cancers that are preventable and screen-detectable. However, less is known about barriers to accessing cancer treatment. METHODS We conducted a scoping review of studies examining barriers to accessing cancer treatment for populations experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage in high-income countries, searched across four biomedical databases. Studies published in English between 2008 and 2021 in high-income countries, as defined by the World Bank, and reporting on barriers to cancer treatment were included. RESULTS A total of 20 studies were identified. Most (n = 16) reported data from the United States, and the remaining included publications were from Canada (n = 1), Ireland (n = 1), United Kingdom (n = 1), and a scoping review (n = 1). The majority of studies (n = 9) focused on barriers to breast cancer treatment. The most common barriers included: inadequate insurance and financial constraints (n = 16); unstable housing (n = 5); geographical distribution of services and transportation challenges (n = 4); limited resources for social care needs (n = 7); communication challenges (n = 9); system disintegration (n = 5); implicit bias (n = 4); advanced diagnosis and comorbidities (n = 8); psychosocial dimensions and contexts (n = 6); and limited social support networks (n = 3). The compounding effect of multiple barriers exacerbated poor access to cancer treatment, with relevance across many social locations. CONCLUSION This review highlights barriers to cancer treatment across multiple levels, and underscores the importance of identifying patients at risk for socioeconomic disadvantage to improve access to treatment and cancer outcomes. Findings provide an understanding of barriers that can inform future, equity-oriented policy, practice, and service innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Bourgeois
- Institute for Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700, Victoria, BC, V8V 2Y2, Canada.
- BC Cancer, Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation, 686 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1G1, Canada.
| | - Tara Horrill
- College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, 89 Curry Place, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Ashley Mollison
- Institute for Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700, Victoria, BC, V8V 2Y2, Canada
| | - Eleah Stringer
- BC Cancer, Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation, 686 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1G1, Canada
| | - Leah K Lambert
- BC Cancer, Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation, 686 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1G1, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall T201, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Kelli Stajduhar
- Institute for Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700, Victoria, BC, V8V 2Y2, Canada
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Smittenaar R, Quaife SL, von Wagner C, Higgins T, Hubbell E, Lee L. Impact of screening participation on modelled mortality benefits of a multi-cancer early detection test by socioeconomic group in England. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024; 78:345-353. [PMID: 38429085 PMCID: PMC11103338 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-220834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer burden is higher and cancer screening participation is lower among individuals living in more socioeconomically deprived areas of England, contributing to worse health outcomes and shorter life expectancy. Owing to higher multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test sensitivity for poor-prognosis cancers and greater cancer burden in groups experiencing greater deprivation, MCED screening programmes may have greater relative benefits in these groups. We modelled potential differential benefits of MCED screening between deprivation groups in England at different levels of screening participation. METHODS We applied the interception multi-cancer screening model to cancer incidence and survival data made available by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service in England to estimate reductions in late-stage diagnoses and cancer mortality from an MCED screening programme by deprivation group across 24 cancer types. We assessed the impact of varying the proportion of people who participated in annual screening in each deprivation group on these estimates. RESULTS The modelled benefits of an MCED screening programme were substantial: reductions in late-stage diagnoses were 160 and 274 per 100 000 persons in the least and most deprived groups, respectively. Reductions in cancer mortality were 60 and 99 per 100 000 persons in the least and most deprived groups, respectively. Benefits were greatest in the most deprived group at every participation level and were attenuated with lower screening participation. CONCLUSIONS For the greatest possible population benefit and to decrease health inequalities, an MCED implementation strategy should focus on enhancing equitable, informed participation, enabling equal participation across all socioeconomic deprivation groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05611632.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Thomas Higgins
- National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, Leeds, UK
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Horrill TC, Bourgeois A, Kleijberg M, Linton J, Leahy K, Stajduhar KI. Services, models of care, and interventions to improve access to cancer treatment for adults who are socially disadvantaged: A scoping review protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296658. [PMID: 38408051 PMCID: PMC10896524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Timely access to guideline-recommended cancer treatment is known to be an indicator of the quality and accessibility of a cancer care system. Yet people who are socially disadvantaged experience inequities in access to cancer treatment that have significant impacts on cancer outcomes and quality of life. Among people experiencing the intersecting impacts of poor access to the social determinants of health and personal identities typically marginalized from society ('social disadvantage'), there are significant barriers to accessing cancer, many of which compound one another, making cancer treatment extremely difficult to access. Although some research has focused on barriers to accessing cancer treatment among people who are socially disadvantaged, it is not entirely clear what, if anything, is being done to mitigate these barriers and improve access to care. Increasingly, there is a need to design cancer treatment services and models of care that are flexible, tailored to meet the needs of patients, and innovative in reaching out to socially disadvantaged groups. In this paper, we report the protocol for a planned scoping review which aims to answer the following question: What services, models of care, or interventions have been developed to improve access to or receipt of cancer treatment for adults who are socially disadvantaged? Based on the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley, this scoping review is planned in six iterative stages. A comprehensive search strategy will be developed by an academic librarian. OVID Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL (using EBSCOhost) and Scopus will be searched for peer-reviewed published literature; advanced searches in Google will be done to identify relevant online grey literature reports. Descriptive and thematic analysis methods will be used to analyze extracted data. Findings will provide a better understanding of the range and nature of strategies developed to mitigate barriers to accessing cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara C. Horrill
- College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Amber Bourgeois
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Janice Linton
- Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kate Leahy
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kelli I. Stajduhar
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Jose S, Zalin-Miller A, Knott C, Paley L, Tataru D, Morement H, Toledano MB, Khan SA. Cohort study to assess geographical variation in cholangiocarcinoma treatment in England. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:2077-2092. [PMID: 38173436 PMCID: PMC10758644 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i12.2077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are extremely poor owing to the complexities in diagnosing and managing a rare disease with heterogenous sub-types. Beyond curative surgery, which is only an option for a minority of patients diagnosed at an early stage, few systemic therapy options are currently recommended to relieve symptoms and prolong life. Stent insertion to manage disease complications requires highly specialised expertise. Evidence is lacking as to how CCA patients are managed in a real-world setting and whether there is any variation in treatments received by CCA patients. AIM To assess geographic variation in treatments received amongst CCA patients in England. METHODS Data used in this cohort study were drawn from the National Cancer Registration Dataset (NCRD), Hospital Episode Statistics and the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Dataset. A cohort of 8853 CCA patients diagnosed between 2014-2017 in the National Health Service in England was identified from the NCRD. Potentially curative surgery for all patients and systemic therapy and stent insertion for 7751 individuals who did not receive surgery were identified as three end-points of interest. Linear probability models assessed variation in each of the three treatment modalities according to Cancer Alliance of residence at diagnosis, and for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics at diagnosis. RESULTS Of 8853 CCA patients, 1102 (12.4%) received potentially curative surgery. The mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] percentage-point difference from the population average ranged from -3.96 (-6.34 to -1.59)% to 3.77 (0.54 to 6.99)% across Cancer Alliances in England after adjustment for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, showing statistically significant variation. Amongst 7751 who did not receive surgery, 1542 (19.9%) received systemic therapy, with mean [95%CI] percentage-point difference from the population average between -3.84 (-8.04 to 0.35)% to 9.28 (1.76 to 16.80)% across Cancer Alliances after adjustment, again showing the presence of statistically significant variation for some regions. Stent insertion was received by 2156 (27.8%), with mean [95%CI] percentage-point difference from the population average between -10.54 (-12.88 to -8.20)% to 13.64 (9.22 to 18.06)% across Cancer Alliances after adjustment, showing wide and statistically significant variation from the population average. Half of 8853 patients (n = 4468) received no treatment with either surgery, systemic therapy or stent insertion. CONCLUSION Substantial regional variation in treatments received by CCA patients was observed in England. Such variation could be due to differences in case-mix, clinical practice or access to specialist expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Jose
- Health Data Analysis, Health Data Insight CIC, Cambridge CB21 5XE, United Kingdom
- National Disease Registration Service, National Health Service England, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Zalin-Miller
- Health Data Analysis, Health Data Insight CIC, Cambridge CB21 5XE, United Kingdom
- National Disease Registration Service, National Health Service England, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Knott
- Health Data Analysis, Health Data Insight CIC, Cambridge CB21 5XE, United Kingdom
- National Disease Registration Service, National Health Service England, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Lizz Paley
- National Disease Registration Service, National Health Service England, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Tataru
- National Disease Registration Service, National Health Service England, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Morement
- Department of Executive, AMMF-The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity, Essex CM24 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, United Kingdom
- Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Wellbeing, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, United Kingdom
| | - Shahid A Khan
- Liver Unit, Division of Digestive Diseases, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, United Kingdom
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Bateni SB, Sutradhar R, Everett K, Wright FC, Hong NJL. The Association Between Pregnancy Timing and Cumulative Exposure on Survival in Melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:6332-6338. [PMID: 37386307 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13819-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As melanoma is common among young women, the impact of pregnancy on melanoma prognosis is of interest. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the association between pregnancy and survival in female melanoma patients of childbearing age. METHODS We performed a population-level, retrospective cohort study of women of childbearing age (18-45 years) diagnosed with melanoma from 2007 to 2017 using administrative data from Ontario, Canada. Patients were categorized according to pregnancy status (i.e. pregnancy before [conception from 60 to 13 months prior to melanoma], pregnancy-associated [conception 12 months prior to and after], and pregnancy after [conception 12 months after] melanoma). Cox models were used to examine melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and overall survival (OS) associated with pregnancy status. RESULTS Of 1312 women with melanoma, most did not experience pregnancy (84.1%), with 7.6% experiencing a pregnancy-associated melanoma and 8.2% experiencing a pregnancy after melanoma. Pregnancy before melanoma occurred in 18.1% of patients. Pregnancy before (hazard ratio [HR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35-1.28), associated (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.45-2.97), and after melanoma (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.13-1.11) was not associated with a difference in MSS compared with those who did not experience a pregnancy during these time periods. Pregnancy status was also not associated with a difference in OS (p > 0.05). Cumulative weeks pregnant were not associated with a difference in MSS (4-week HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92-1.07) or OS (4-week HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.94-1.06). CONCLUSIONS In this population-level analysis of female melanoma patients of childbearing age, pregnancy was not associated with a difference in survival, suggesting that pregnancy is not associated with a worse melanoma prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Bateni
- Division of General Surgery, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rinku Sutradhar
- Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Frances C Wright
- Division of General Surgery, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole J Look Hong
- Division of General Surgery, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Miao Q, Dunn S, Wen SW, Lougheed J, Yang P, Davies M, Venegas CL, Walker M. Association between maternal marginalization and infants born with congenital heart disease in Ontario Canada. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:790. [PMID: 37118769 PMCID: PMC10142402 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15660-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on the risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) since previous studies have yielded inconsistent results. METHODS We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study, including all singleton live and still births in Ontario hospitals from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2018. We used linked records from the Better Outcomes Registry & Network Information System, the Canadian Institute for Health Information databases, and the Ontario Marginalization Index (ON_Marg). ON_Marg was estimated at a dissemination area level using Canadian Census 2016 data and categorized into quintiles. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to examine the relationships between four ON_Marg indices (material deprivation, dependency, ethnic concentration, residential instability), as proxies for maternal SES and the risk of infant CHD. We adjusted for maternal age at birth, assisted reproductive technology, obesity, pre-existing health conditions, substance use during pregnancy, mental health conditions before and during pregnancy, rural residence, and infant's sex in the analysis. RESULTS Among the cohort of 776,799 singletons, 9,359 infants had a diagnosis of CHD. Of those, 3,069 were severe CHD and 493 cases were single ventricle CHD. The prevalence of all infant CHD types was higher for males relative to females. Compared to mothers living in neighbourhoods with the lowest material deprivation, mothers with highest material deprivation had a 27% (adjusted OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.18-1.37) higher odds of having an infant diagnosed with CHD. Mothers living in neighbourhoods with the highest minority ethnic and immigrant concentration tend to have infants with 11% lower odds of CHD (adjusted OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.97) as compared to those living in the least ethnically diverse communities. Maternal dependency and residential stability quintiles were not significantly associated with the risk of CHD. CONCLUSION Higher maternal material deprivation was associated with increasing odds of infant CHD, whereas neighbourhood minority ethnic concentration was inversely associated with the odds of infant CHD. Our study further confirms that poverty is associated with CHD development. Future investigations might focus on the causal pathways between social deprivation, immigrant status, ethnicity, and the risk of infant CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Miao
- Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Sandra Dunn
- Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jane Lougheed
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Phoebe Yang
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Davies
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Carolina Lavin Venegas
- Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Walker
- Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- International and Global Health Office, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, The Ottawa Hospital, Gynecology & Newborn Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Bourgeois A, Horrill TC, Mollison A, Lambert LK, Stajduhar KI. Barriers to cancer treatment and care for people experiencing structural vulnerability: a secondary analysis of ethnographic data. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:58. [PMID: 36998035 PMCID: PMC10064679 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-01860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key pillar of Canada's healthcare system is universal access, yet significant barriers to cancer services remain for people impacted by structural vulnerability (e.g., poverty, homelessness, racism). For this reason, cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, resulting in worse patient outcomes, a reduced quality of life, and at a higher cost to the healthcare system. Those who face significant barriers to access are under-represented in cancer control services Consequently, these inequities result in people dying from cancers that are highly treatable and preventable, however; little is known about their treatment and care course. The aim of this study was to explore barriers to accessing cancer treatment among people experiencing structural vulnerability within a Canadian context. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of ethnographic data informed by critical theoretical perspectives of equity and social justice. The original research draws from 30 months of repeated interviews (n = 147) and 300 h of observational fieldwork with people experiencing health and social inequities at the end-of-life, their support persons, and service providers. RESULTS Our analysis identified four themes presenting as 'modifiable' barriers to inequitable access to cancer treatment: (1) housing as a key determinant for cancer treatment (2) impact of lower health literacy (3) addressing social care needs is a pre-requisite for treatment (4) intersecting and compounding barriers reinforce exclusion from cancer care. These inter-related themes point to how people impacted by health and social inequities are at times 'dropped' out of the cancer system and therefore unable to access cancer treatment. CONCLUSION Findings make visible the contextual and structural factors contributing to inequitable access to cancer treatment within a publically funded healthcare system. Identifying people who experience structural vulnerability, and approaches to delivering cancer services that are explicitly equity-oriented are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Bourgeois
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health, Stn. CSC Victoria, PO Box 1700, V8W 2Y2, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | - Tara C Horrill
- College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, 89 Curry Place Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Victoria, MB, Canada
| | - Ashley Mollison
- Social Dimensions of Health, University of Victoria Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, Stn. CSC Victoria, PO Box 1700, V8W 2Y2, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Leah K Lambert
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, BC Cancer Suite 500, 686 West Broadway, V5Z 1G1, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kelli I Stajduhar
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health, Stn. CSC Victoria, PO Box 1700, V8W 2Y2, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Carmo-Martins JI, Gonzatti MB, Varela MT, Sousa MEP, Costa LVS, Rodrigues EG, Fernandes JPS, Keller AC. Esterification of p-Coumaric Acid Improves the Control over Melanoma Cell Growth. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010196. [PMID: 36672704 PMCID: PMC9855326 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies reported that p-coumaric acid modulates melanoma growth. Because the esterification of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) enhanced its activity as an antimelanogenic agent, we aimed to determine the antitumor potential of two derivatives, the ethyl and butyl esters, against the murine B16-F10 and the human SK-MEL-25 melanoma cells. Cell viability was determined in vitro by the lactate dehydrogenase release and violet crystal absorption assays. The cell proliferation rate and cell cycle behavior were determined by the colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis. Although p-CA, at the concentration of 1 mM, failed to exert a significant antitumor activity, the ethyl and butyl ester derivatives caused substantial tumor cell death at doses < 1 mM. Despite a reduction in their direct cytotoxicity at minor doses, both products controlled the melanoma growth by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 (B16-F10) or S/G2 (SK-MEL-25). Furthermore, the in vivo experiments showed that the butyl ester derivative suppressed the lung B16-F10 burden, compared to the p-CA-treated mice. Thus, the esterification of p-coumaric acid improved the control over the proliferation of murine and human melanoma cells and can be considered an approach for designing novel anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana I. Carmo-Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Division of Immunology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Michelangelo B. Gonzatti
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Division of Immunology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Marina T. Varela
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda P. Sousa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Division of Immunology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Lucas V. S. Costa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Division of Immunology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Elaine Guadelupe Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Division of Cell Biology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - João Paulo S. Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus Diadema, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil
- Correspondence: (J.P.S.F.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Alexandre C. Keller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Division of Immunology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, campus São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
- Correspondence: (J.P.S.F.); (A.C.K.)
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Peng Q, Ren X. Mapping of Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates to Socioeconomic Factors Cohort: Path Diagram Analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 9:761023. [PMID: 35178368 PMCID: PMC8843849 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.761023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women around the world. Its occurrence and development have been linked to genetic factors, living habits, health conditions, and socioeconomic factors. Comparisons of incidence and mortality rates of female breast cancer are useful approaches to define cancer-related socioeconomic disparities. METHODS This was a retrospective observational cohort study on breast cancer of women in several developed countries over 30 years. Effects of socioeconomic factors were analyzed using a path diagram method. RESULTS We found a positive, significant association of public wealth on incidence and mortality of breast cancer, and the path coefficients in the structural equations are -0.51 and -0.39, respectively. The unemployment rate (UR) is critical and the path coefficients are all 0.2. The path coefficients of individual economic wealth to the rates of breast cancer are 0.18 and 0.27, respectively. CONCLUSION The influence of social pressure on the incidence and mortality of breast cancer was not typical monotonous. The survival rate of breast cancer determined by the ratio of mortality rate to incidence rate showed a similar pattern with socioeconomic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongle Peng
- Blood Transfusion Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaoling Ren
- Central Laboratory, Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
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12
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Horrill TC, Browne AJ, Stajduhar KI. Equity-Oriented Healthcare: What It Is and Why We Need It in Oncology. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:186-192. [PMID: 35049692 PMCID: PMC8774995 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alarming differences exist in cancer outcomes for people most impacted by persistent and widening health and social inequities. People who are socially disadvantaged often have higher cancer-related mortality and are diagnosed with advanced cancers more often than other people. Such outcomes are linked to the compounding effects of stigma, discrimination, and other barriers, which create persistent inequities in access to care at all points in the cancer trajectory, preventing timely diagnosis and treatment, and further widening the health equity gap. In this commentary, we discuss how growing evidence suggests that people who are considered marginalized are not well-served by the cancer care sector and how the design and structure of services can often impose profound barriers to populations considered socially disadvantaged. We highlight equity-oriented healthcare as one strategy that can begin to address inequities in health outcomes and access to care by taking action to transform organizational cultures and approaches to the design and delivery of cancer services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara C. Horrill
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada;
- Correspondence:
| | - Annette J. Browne
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada;
| | - Kelli I. Stajduhar
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
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13
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Longo CJ, Fitch MI. Unequal distribution of financial toxicity among people with cancer and its impact on access to care: a rapid review. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2021; 15:157-161. [PMID: 34232132 DOI: 10.1097/spc.0000000000000561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Research demonstrates that patients and their families often carry a good portion of the economic burden during and following cancer treatment, frequently resulting in implications for access to care. This rapid review summarizes how this knowledge has evolved in recent years. RECENT FINDINGS The number of articles on patient financial burden is increasing, suggesting awareness about the growing impact of economic burden on patients. This is particularly evident when discussing out-of-pocket costs, and lost work for patients/caregivers. However, there is an increasing focus on 'foregone care' and 'financial distress'. Additionally, emerging literature is examining policies and approaches to screen and/or mitigate these patient financial risks, thereby improving access to care. There is also increasing focus on populations that shoulder a disproportionate financial burden, including ethnic minorities (blacks, Asians, Latinos) as well as those with lower socioeconomic status. Additionally, there is evidence that this burden also affects the middle class. SUMMARY As healthcare budgets become stretched, especially during a pandemic, supportive programs benefiting the less fortunate often shrink, which impacts access to care. The emerging research on strategies with government or institutions to mitigate these burdens and access issues are both welcome and needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Longo
- Health Policy and Management, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton
| | - Margaret I Fitch
- Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Yee EK, Coburn NG, Zuk V, Davis LE, Mahar AL, Liu Y, Gupta V, Darling G, Hallet J. Geographic impact on access to care and survival for non-curative esophagogastric cancer: a population-based study. Gastric Cancer 2021; 24:790-799. [PMID: 33550518 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-021-01157-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among patients not undergoing curative-intent therapy for esophagogastric cancer, access to care may vary. We examined the geographic distribution of care delivery and survival and their relationship with distance to cancer centres for non-curative esophagogastric cancer, hypothesising that patients living further from cancer centres have worse outcomes. METHODS We conducted a population-based analysis of adults with non-curative esophagogastric cancer from 2005 to 2017 using linked administrative healthcare datasets in Ontario, Canada. Outcomes were medical oncology consultation, receipt of chemotherapy, and overall survival. Using geographic information system analysis, we mapped locations of cancer centres and outcomes across census divisions. Bivariate choropleth maps identified regional outcome discordances. Multivariable regression models assessed the relationship between distance from patient residence to the nearest cancer centre and outcomes, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS Of 10,228 patients surviving a median 5.1 months (IQR: 2.0-12.0), 68.5% had medical oncology consultation and 32.2% received chemotherapy. Certain distances (reference ≤ 10 km) were associated with lower consultation [relative risk 0.79 (95% CI 0.63-0.97) for ≥ 101 km], chemotherapy receipt [relative risk 0.67 (95% CI 0.53-0.85) for ≥ 101 km], and overall survival [hazard ratio 1.07 (95% CI 1.02-1.13) for 11-50 km, hazard ratio 1.13 (95% CI 1.04-1.23) for 51-100 km]. CONCLUSION A third of patients did not see medical oncology and most did not receive chemotherapy. Outcomes exhibited high geographic variability. Location of residence influenced outcomes, with inferior outcomes at certain distances > 10 km from cancer centres. These findings are important for designing interventions to reduce access disparities for non-curative esophagogastric cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott K Yee
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Cancer Program, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Natalie G Coburn
- Cancer Program, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Victoria Zuk
- Cancer Program, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Laura E Davis
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alyson L Mahar
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vaibhav Gupta
- Cancer Program, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gail Darling
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Hallet
- Cancer Program, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada. .,Department of Surgery, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Socio-Economic Deprivation and Symptom Burden in UK Hospice Patients with Advanced Cancer-Findings from a Longitudinal Study. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112537. [PMID: 34064172 PMCID: PMC8196745 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We know that socio-economic factors influence delay in presentation and diagnosis of cancer and that patients living in areas of greater socio-economic deprivation are less likely to be referred to palliative care services including hospice. However, very little is known regarding the impact of socio-economic deprivation on symptom burden in advanced cancer patients. Our study found that patients experiencing greater socio-economic deprivation were more likely to report depression and pain and greater global symptom burden than patients from less socio-economically deprived areas. We also found that reporting a lack of information at time of diagnosis was significantly associated with socio-economic deprivation. Although more than one-third of patients recruited into this study were diagnosed with cancer within the preceding 12 months, this was not associated with socio-economic factors and socio-economic factors did not appear to influence survival in our study. The impact of socio-economic factors on symptom burden and information needs should be acknowledged within palliative care settings. Abstract Socio-economic deprivation is known to impact on cancer diagnosis, treatment and access to services, but little is known of the impact of socio-economic deprivation on symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer. Patients with advanced cancer attending hospice day services were recruited into a 24 week longitudinal study. An area-based index of social deprivation was collected along with depression and symptom burden at baseline, 8, 16 and 24 weeks. Of the 595 patients included, with an age range of 33–89 years and a mean age of 68 years, 67% were female, and 37% were diagnosed with cancer in the last 12 months. Twenty nine percent lived in one of the most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods. Patients living in the most socio-economically deprived areas were significantly likely to report receiving insufficient information regarding their cancer at diagnosis (p = 0.007), greater pain (p = 0.02), moderate to severe depression (p = 0.04) and higher global symptom burden (p = 0.04). This study is the first to report that patients with advanced cancer attending hospice services, living in the most deprived neighbourhoods experience significantly greater symptom burden, notably depression and pain. We recommend using patient outcome measures in order to provide targeted support and thereby reduce the increased symptom burden that socio-economically disadvantaged patients experience at the end of life.
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