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Mishra A, Deo SVS, Kumar N, Bansal B, Gogia A, Pramanik R, Batra A, Sharma DN, Mathur S, Pathak M. A Prospective Questionnaire-Based Study Evaluating Genetic Literacy and Impact of Brief Educational Intervention Among Breast Cancer Patients in a Low- to Middle-Income Country. Ann Surg Oncol 2024:10.1245/s10434-024-15527-y. [PMID: 38862836 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-15527-y] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A significant proportion of breast cancer cases are hereditary and are potentially preventable. However, adoption of the preventive measures remains a significant challenge, particularly because of to lack of knowledge and awareness in low- to middle-income countries. METHODS This prospective study conducted at a high-volume tertiary care cancer center in North India to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of female breast cancer patients and impact of a brief educational intervention. The study involved three phases: pre-interventional assessment, educational intervention, and post-interventional assessment utilizing a structured questionnaire. RESULTS The study involved 300 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients; 16.7% were familial. At the outset, 87.0% patients had low knowledge of risk factors, 90.3% about screening, and 32.7% about treatment. Awareness levels were low: 13.7% aware of familial risk and 2.7% of breast cancer genes. Affordability of genetic testing was low (15.2%), and interest in testing for self and family members was limited (32.0% and 26.3%). Following educational intervention, a significant positive percentage change was noticed in knowledge (risk factors: 12.8%, screening: 36.2%, treatment: 82%), awareness (familial risk: 66.7%, BRCA gene: 12.3%), and attitude (testing for self: 17.8%, family: 19.5%). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the significant knowledge gaps among breast cancer patients regarding genetics. The educational intervention led to notable improvements in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes, underscoring the importance of tailored patient education in breast cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Mishra
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - S V S Deo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Navin Kumar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Babul Bansal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ajay Gogia
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Raja Pramanik
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Atul Batra
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - D N Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Mathur
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mona Pathak
- Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Wang SM, Njoroge MW, Mundy LR, Sergesketter AR, Stukes B, Shammas RL, Langdell HC, Geng Y, Hollenbeck ST. Evaluating Disparities in Pathways to Breast Reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg 2023; 39:671-680. [PMID: 37023769 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of postmastectomy breast reconstruction have been shown to vary by racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. In this study, we evaluated disparities across pathways toward breast reconstruction. METHODS All women who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer at a single institution from 2017 to 2018 were reviewed. Rates of discussions about reconstruction with breast surgeons, plastic surgery referrals, plastic surgery consultations, and ultimate decisions to pursue reconstruction were compared by race/ethnicity. RESULTS A total of 218 patients were included, with the racial/ethnic demographic of 56% white, 28% Black, 1% American Indian/Native Alaskan, 4% Asian, and 4% Hispanic/Latina. The overall incidence of postmastectomy breast reconstruction was 48%, which varied by race (white: 58% vs. Black: 34%; p < 0.001). Plastic surgery was discussed by the breast surgeon with 68% of patients, and referrals were made in 62% of patients. While older age (p < 0.001) and nonprivate insurance (p < 0.05) were associated with lower rates of plastic surgery discussion and referral, it did not vary by race/ethnicity. The need for an interpreter was associated with lower rates of discussion (p < 0.05). After multivariate adjustment, a lower reconstruction rate was associated with the Black race (odds ratio [OR] = 0.33; p = 0.014) and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 (OR = 0.14; p < 0.001). Elevated BMI did not disproportionately lower breast reconstruction rates in Black versus white women (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION Despite statistically equivalent rates of plastic surgery discussions and referrals, black women had lower breast reconstruction rates versus white women. Lower rates of breast reconstruction in Black women likely represent an amalgamation of barriers to care; further exploration within our community is warranted to better understand the racial disparity observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M Wang
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Lily R Mundy
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Amanda R Sergesketter
- Division of Plastic, Oral, and Maxillofacial Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Bryanna Stukes
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ronnie L Shammas
- Division of Plastic, Oral, and Maxillofacial Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hannah C Langdell
- Division of Plastic, Oral, and Maxillofacial Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Scott T Hollenbeck
- Division of Plastic, Oral, and Maxillofacial Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Odai-Afotey A, Lederman RI, Ko NY, Gagnon H, Fikre T, Gundersen DA, Revette AC, Hershman DL, Crew KD, Keating NL, Freedman RA. Breast cancer treatment receipt and the role of financial stress, health literacy, and numeracy among diverse breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 200:127-137. [PMID: 37178432 PMCID: PMC10182756 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-06960-w] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Disparities in breast cancer treatment for low-income and minority women are well documented. We examined economic hardship, health literacy, and numeracy and whether these factors were associated with differences in receipt of recommended treatment among breast cancer survivors. METHODS During 2018-2020, we surveyed adult women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer between 2013 and 2017 and received care at three centers in Boston and New York. We inquired about treatment receipt and treatment decision-making. We used Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests to examine associations between financial strain, health literacy, numeracy (using validated measures), and treatment receipt by race and ethnicity. RESULTS The 296 participants studied were 60.1% Non-Hispanic (NH) White, 25.0% NH Black, and 14.9% Hispanic; NH Black and Hispanic women had lower health literacy and numeracy and reported more financial concerns. Overall, 21 (7.1%) women declined at least one component of recommended therapy, without differences by race and ethnicity. Those not initiating recommended treatment(s) reported more worry about paying large medical bills (52.4% vs. 27.1%), worse household finances since diagnosis (42.9% vs. 22.2%), and more uninsurance before diagnosis (9.5% vs. 1.5%); all P < .05. No differences in treatment receipt by health literacy or numeracy were observed. CONCLUSION In this diverse population of breast cancer survivors, rates of treatment initiation were high. Worry about paying medical bills and financial strain were frequent, especially among non-White participants. Although we observed associations of financial strain with treatment initiation, because few women declined treatments, understanding the scope of impact is limited. Our results highlight the importance of assessments of resource needs and allocation of support for breast cancer survivors. Novelty of this work includes the granular measures of financial strain and inclusion of health literacy and numeracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Odai-Afotey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruth I Lederman
- Survey and Qualitative Methods Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naomi Y Ko
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haley Gagnon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Tsion Fikre
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel A Gundersen
- Survey and Qualitative Methods Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna C Revette
- Survey and Qualitative Methods Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine D Crew
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel A Freedman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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