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Hong JS, Kim A, Layrisse Landaeta V, Patrón R, Foglia C, Saldinger P, Chu DI, Chao SY. Uncommon Sociodemographic Factors Are Associated With Racial Disparities in Length of Stay Following Oncologic Elective Colectomy. J Surg Res 2024; 300:287-297. [PMID: 38833755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2024.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although outcome disparities by race have been identified in colorectal cancer, these patterns are challenging to explain using variables that are commonly available in databases. In a single institution serving a diverse community, length of stay (LOS) varies by race following elective oncologic colectomy. We investigated previously unexplored variables that may explain the relationship between race and LOS following elective resection of colorectal neoplasms. METHODS Retrospective, single institution cohort study from January 2015 to December 2020 for adult patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer resections. Baseline demographic variables and intraoperative factors were analyzed for changes in LOS following elective colorectal resection. Additional retrospective chart review was carried out to determine household member composition and distance from home to hospital. Bivariate analysis was conducted to determine which variables should be included in multivariable analyses. All analyses were conducted using SAS Academic. RESULTS Most patients (n = 383) were Asian (40%), Black (12%), or Hispanic (26%). Race and LOS were associated with age (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001 for race and LOS, respectively), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001), enhanced recovery after surgery protocols (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001), household members (P = 0.009 and P = 0.002), and discharge disposition (P = 0.049 and P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, household members (P = 0.021) independently remained associated with LOS after controlling for race (P = 0.008) and discharge disposition (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Household member composition varies with LOS, suggesting that level of support at home may influence decisions regarding discharge disposition, which lead to differences in LOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie S Hong
- Department of Surgery, NewYork Presbyterian - Queens, Flushing, New York.
| | - Angelina Kim
- Department of Surgery, NewYork Presbyterian - Queens, Flushing, New York
| | | | - Roger Patrón
- Department of Surgery, NewYork Presbyterian - Queens, Flushing, New York; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Christopher Foglia
- Department of Surgery, NewYork Presbyterian - Queens, Flushing, New York; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Pierre Saldinger
- Department of Surgery, NewYork Presbyterian - Queens, Flushing, New York; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Daniel I Chu
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Steven Y Chao
- Department of Surgery, NewYork Presbyterian - Queens, Flushing, New York; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Cook JM. Racial disparities in multiple myeloma and access to stem cell transplantation. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:120. [PMID: 39039108 PMCID: PMC11263617 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
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Ma S, Sokale IO, Thrift AP. Trends and Variations in Pancreatic Cancer Mortality Among US Metro and Nonmetro Adults, 1999-2020. J Clin Gastroenterol 2024; 58:627-631. [PMID: 37983816 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Despite decreasing cancer mortality rates as a whole, pancreatic cancer death rates in the United States remain steady and demonstrate racial/ethnic disparities. Divergent cancer mortality trends have also been observed between metro and nonmetro populations. We therefore aimed to compare metro and nonmetro trends in pancreatic cancer mortality rates in the United States from 1999 to 2020 and investigate potential sex and racial/ethnic differences. METHODS We analyzed National Center for Health Statistics data for all pancreatic cancer deaths among individuals aged 25 years or older in the United States. We estimated the average annual percent change (AAPC) in age-standardized pancreatic cancer mortality rates in metro versus nonmetro areas by sex and race/ethnicity. RESULTS Of the total 810,425 pancreatic cancer-related deaths identified from 1999 to 2020, 668,547 occurred in metro areas and 141,878 in nonmetro areas. Non-Hispanic Black individuals had the highest rates of pancreatic cancer mortality regardless of metropolitan status. In both metro and nonmetro areas, pancreatic cancer mortality rates among non-Hispanic White individuals increased over the study period (AAPC: metro, males, 0.32%; females, 0.27%; nonmetro, males, 0.77%; females, 0.62%). Non-Hispanic Black individuals in metro areas had a decrease in pancreatic cancer mortality (AAPC: males, -0.25%; females, -0.29%), but rates among non-Hispanic Black women in nonmetro areas increased (AAPC, 0.49%). CONCLUSIONS There are variations not only in pancreatic cancer mortality by metro and nonmetro status but also by sex and race/ethnicity within these areas. Individuals who live in nonmetro areas have higher pancreatic cancer mortality rates and increasing death rates compared with their metro counterparts. These findings highlight the need for targeted cancer prevention strategies that are specific to metro or nonmetro populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ma
- School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Itunu O Sokale
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Aaron P Thrift
- Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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Bai J, Barandouzi ZA, Yeager KA, Graetz I, Gong C, Norman M, Hankins J, Paul S, Torres MA, Bruner DW. Analysis of travel burden and travel support among patients treated at a comprehensive cancer center in the Southeastern United States. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:451. [PMID: 38907006 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08656-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Travel burden leads to worse cancer outcomes. Understanding travel burden and the level and types of travel support provided at large cancer centers is critical for developing systematic programs to alleviate travel burden. This study analyzed patients who received travel assistance, including their travel burden, types and amount of travel support received, and factors that influenced these outcomes. METHODS We analyzed 1063 patients who received travel support from 1/1/2021 to 5/1/2023 at Winship Cancer Institute, in which ~18,000 patients received cancer care annually. Travel burden was measured using distance and time to Winship sites from patients' residential address. Travel support was evaluated using the monetary value of total travel support and type of support received. Patients' sociodemographic and clinical factors were extracted from electronic medical records. Area-level socioeconomic disadvantage was coded by the Area Deprivation Index using patient ZIP codes. RESULTS On average, patients traveled 57.2 miles and 67.3 min for care and received $74.1 in total for travel support. Most patients (88.3%) received travel-related funds (e.g., gas cards), 5% received direct rides (e.g., Uber), 3.8% received vouchers for taxi or public transportation, and 3% received combined travel support. Male and White had longer travel distance and higher travel time than female and other races, respectively. Patients residing in more disadvantaged neighborhoods had an increased travel distance and travel time. Other races and Hispanics received more travel support ($) than Black and White patients or non-Hispanics. Patients with higher travel distance and travel time were more like to receive travel-related financial support. CONCLUSION Among patients who received travel support, those from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods had greater travel burden. Patients with greater travel burden were more likely to receive travel funds versus other types of support. Further understanding of the impact of travel burden and travel support on cancer outcomes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbing Bai
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Zahra A Barandouzi
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Katherine A Yeager
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ilana Graetz
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Claire Gong
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maria Norman
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James Hankins
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sudeshna Paul
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mylin A Torres
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deborah Watkins Bruner
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Antar RM, Xu VE, Adesanya O, Drouaud A, Longton N, Gordon O, Youssef K, Kfouri J, Azari S, Tafuri S, Goddard B, Whalen MJ. Income Disparities in Survival and Receipt of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:2566-2581. [PMID: 38785473 PMCID: PMC11119047 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31050192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a potentially fatal disease, especially in the setting of locally advanced or node-positive disease. Adverse outcomes have also primarily been associated with low-income status, as has been reported in other cancers. While the adoption of neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) has improved outcomes, these standard-of-care treatments may be underutilized in lower-income patients. We sought to investigate the economic disparities in NAC and PLND receipt and survival outcomes in MIBC. Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database, a retrospective cohort analysis of cT2-4N0-3M0 BCa patients with urothelial histology who underwent RC was conducted. The impact of income level on overall survival (OS) and the likelihood of receiving NAC and PLND was evaluated. Results: A total of 25,823 patients were included. This study found that lower-income patients were less likely to receive NAC and adequate PLND (≥15 LNs). Moreover, lower-income patients exhibited worse OS (Median OS 55.9 months vs. 68.2 months, p < 0.001). Our findings also demonstrated that higher income, treatment at academic facilities, and recent years of diagnosis were associated with an increased likelihood of receiving standard-of-care modalities and improved survival. Conclusions: Even after controlling for clinicodemographic variables, income independently influenced the receipt of standard MIBC treatments and survival. Our findings identify an opportunity to improve the quality of care for lower-income MIBC patients through concerted efforts to regionalize multi-modal urologic oncology care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Antar
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Vincent E. Xu
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | | | - Arthur Drouaud
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Noah Longton
- College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Olivia Gordon
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Kirolos Youssef
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Jad Kfouri
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Sarah Azari
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Sean Tafuri
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Briana Goddard
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
| | - Michael J. Whalen
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (V.E.X.); (A.D.); (K.Y.); (J.K.); (S.A.); (S.T.); (B.G.); (M.J.W.)
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Hung TKW, Verdini NP, Gilliland JL, Chimonas S, Cracchiolo JR, Li Y, Pfister DG, Gillespie EF. When Is Telemedicine Appropriate in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer? A Mixed-Methods Assessment Among Patients and Physicians. JCO Oncol Pract 2024:OP2300608. [PMID: 38684040 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence suggests that oncology patients are satisfied with and sometimes prefer telemedicine compared with in-person visits; however, data are scarce on when telemedicine is appropriate for specific cancer populations. In this study, we aim to identify factors that influence patient experience and appropriateness of telemedicine use among a head and neck cancer (HNC) population. METHODS We performed a mixed-methods study at a multisite cancer center. First, we surveyed patients with HNC and analyzed factors that may influence their telemedicine experience using multivariate regression. We then conducted focus groups among HNC oncologists (n = 15) to evaluate their perception on appropriate use of telemedicine. RESULTS From January to December 2020, we collected 1,071 completed surveys (response rate 24%), of which 551 first unique surveys were analyzed. About half of all patients (56%) reported telemedicine as "same or better" compared with in-person visits, whereas the other half (44%) reported "not as good or unsure." In multivariate analyses, patients with thyroid cancer were more likely to find telemedicine "same or better" (adjusted odds ratio, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.35 to 3.25]) compared with other HNC populations (mucosal/salivary HNC). Consistently, physician focus group noted that patients with thyroid cancer were particularly suited for telemedicine because of less emphasis on in-person examinations. Physicians also underscored factors that influence telemedicine use, including clinical suitability (treatment status, visit purpose, examination necessity), patient benefits (travel time, access), and barriers (technology, rapport-building). CONCLUSION Patient experience with telemedicine is diverse among the HNC population. Notably, patients with thyroid cancer had overall better experience and were identified to be more appropriate for telemedicine compared with other patients with HNC. Future research that optimizes patient experience and selection is needed to ensure successful integration of telemedicine into routine oncology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony K W Hung
- Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Nicholas P Verdini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jaime L Gilliland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Susan Chimonas
- Center for Health Policy and Outcomes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Yuelin Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - David G Pfister
- Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Erin F Gillespie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Rzadki K, Baqri W, Yermakhanova O, Habbous S, Das S. Choreographed expansion of services results in decreased patient burden without compromise of outcomes: An assessment of the Ontario experience. Neurooncol Pract 2024; 11:178-187. [PMID: 38496909 PMCID: PMC10940827 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npad076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neuro-oncology care in Ontario, Canada has been historically centralized, at times requiring significant travel on the part of patients. Toward observing the goal of patient-centered care and reducing patient burden, 2 additional regional cancer centres (RCC) capable of neuro-oncology care delivery were introduced in 2016. This study evaluates the impact of increased regionalization of neuro-oncology services, from 11 to 13 oncology centers, on healthcare utilization and travel burden for glioblastoma (GBM) patients in Ontario. Methods We present a cohort of GBM patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2019. Incidence of GBM and treatment modalities were identified using provincial health administrative databases. A geographic information system and spatial analysis were used to estimate travel time from patient residences to neuro-oncology RCCs. Results Among the 5242 GBM patients, 79% received radiation as part of treatment. Median travel time to the closest RCC was higher for patients who did not receive radiation as part of treatment than for patients who did (P = .03). After 2016, the volume of patients receiving radiation at their local RCC increased from 62% to 69% and the median travel time to treatment RCCs decreased (P = .0072). The 2 new RCCs treated 35% and 41% of patients within their respective catchment areas. Receipt of standard of care, surgery, and chemoradiation (CRT), increased by 11%. Conclusions Regionalization resulted in changes in the healthcare utilization patterns in Ontario consistent with decreased patient travel burden for patients with GBM. Focused regionalization did not come at the cost of decreased quality of care, as determined by the delivery of a standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Rzadki
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wafa Baqri
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Steven Habbous
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sunit Das
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Saeedian A, Tabatabaei FS, Azimi A, Babaei M, Lashkari M, Esmati E, Abiar Z, Moadabshoar L, Sandoughdaran S, Kamrava M, Amini A, Ghalehtaki R. PErspective and current status of Radiotherapy Service in IRan (PERSIR)-1 study: assessment of current external beam radiotherapy facilities, staff and techniques compared to the international guidelines. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:324. [PMID: 38459443 PMCID: PMC10921664 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Radiotherapy (RT) is an essential treatment modality against cancer and becoming even more in demand due to the anticipated increase in cancer incidence. Due to the rapid development of RT technologies amid financial challenges, we aimed to assess the available RT facilities and the issues with achieving health equity based on current equipment compared to the previous reports from Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey arranged by the Iran Cancer Institute's Radiation Oncology Research Center (RORC) was sent to all of the country's radiotherapy centers in 2022. Four components were retrieved: the reimbursement type, equipment, human resources, and patient load. To calculate the radiotherapy utilization rate (RUR), the Lancet Commission was used. The findings were compared with the previous national data. RESULTS Seventy-six active radiotherapy centers with 123 Linear accelerators (LINACs) were identified. The centers have been directed in three ways. 10 (20 LINACs), 36 (50 LINACs), and 30 centers (53 LINACs) were charity-, private-, and public-based, respectively. Four provinces had no centers. There was no active intraoperative radiotherapy machine despite its availability in 4 centers. One orthovoltage X-ray machine was active and 14 brachytherapy devices were treating patients. There were 344, 252, and 419 active radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapy technologists, respectively. The ratio of LINAC and radiation oncologists to one million populations was 1.68 and 4.10, respectively. Since 2017, 35±5 radiation oncology residents have been trained each year. CONCLUSION There has been a notable growth in RT facilities since the previous reports and Iran's situation is currently acceptable among LMICs. However, there is an urgent need to improve the distribution of the RT infrastructure and provide more facilities that can deliver advanced techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arefeh Saeedian
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh-Sadat Tabatabaei
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirali Azimi
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Babaei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, IKHC, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Lashkari
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, IKHC, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Esmati
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, IKHC, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Abiar
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Moadabshoar
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mitchell Kamrava
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Arya Amini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Reza Ghalehtaki
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Cancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Radio-Oncology Ward, Cancer Institute, Keshavarz Blvd, Qarib Street, Tehran, Iran.
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Kim SC, Han S, Yoon JH, Park S, Moon KH, Cheon SH, Park GM, Kwon T. Analysis of trend in the role of national and regional hubs in prostatectomy after prostate cancer diagnosis in the past 5 years: A nationwide population-based study. Investig Clin Urol 2024; 65:124-131. [PMID: 38454821 PMCID: PMC10925729 DOI: 10.4111/icu.20230333] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The regions where patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy receive prostatectomy are divided into national hub and regional hubs, and to confirm the change in the role of regional hubs compared to national hub. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from July 2013 to June 2017 encompassing 218,155 patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with prostate cancer were analyzed using the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service database. The degree of patient outflow was assessed by dividing the regional diagnosis-to-surgery ratio with the national ratio for each year. Based on this ratio, national and regional hubs were determined. RESULTS Seoul consistently maintained a patient influx with a ratio above 1.6. Busan and Gyeonggi consistently exceeded 0.9, while Ulsan and Daegu steadily increased, exceeding 1.0 between 2015 and 2016. Jeonnam province also consistently maintained the ratio above 0.7. Jeju, Daejeon, Gangwon, and Incheon remained below 0.5, indicative of substantial patient outflows, whereas Gwangju and Gyeongbuk had the highest patient outflows with ratios below 0.15. Therefore, Seoul was designated as a national hub, whereas Busan, Gyeonggi, Ulsan, Daegu, and Jeonnam were classified as regional hubs. Jeju, Daejeon, Gangwon, and Incheon were the dominant outflow areas, while Gwangju and Gyeongbuk were the highest outflow areas. CONCLUSIONS Seoul, as the national hub for prostate cancer surgery, operated on 1.76 times more patients than any other region during 2013-2017. Busan, Gyeonggi, Ulsan, Daegu, and Jeonnam functioned as regional hubs, but approximately 10%-20% of patients sought treatment at national hubs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Cheol Kim
- Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
- Basic-Clinical Convergence Research Center, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Seungbong Han
- Department of Biostatistics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hyung Yoon
- Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Sungchan Park
- Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
- Basic-Clinical Convergence Research Center, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Moon
- Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Sang Hyeon Cheon
- Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Gyung-Min Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Taekmin Kwon
- Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
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Beutner K, Medenwald D, Meyer G. [Cross-sectoral care trajectories of patients with colorectal cancer in Saxony-Anhalt]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2024; 86:208-215. [PMID: 37562409 PMCID: PMC11248425 DOI: 10.1055/a-2106-9644] [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: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The small-scale healthcare in Saxony-Anhalt is described as disparate, as regions with good healthcare structures and increasingly undersupplied regions face each other. Deficits in cross-sectoral therapy management jeopardizes ambulatory care after hospital stay in rural areas. This study aims to analyze cross-sectoral care trajectories of patients with colorectal cancer in Saxony-Anhalt over the period from diagnosis up to one year post-discharge and to identify differences in care between patients from urban vs. rural regions. Routine data of the statutory health insurance were used for this study. METHODS The study population comprised 13,218 insured patients of AOK Saxony-Anhalt with colorectal cancer treated in 2010-2014. Services billed by hospitals and outpatient physicians were considered in relation to patients' residence (urban vs. rural). Survival times were determined according to Kaplan & Meier and explanatory variables for survival were analyzed using regression analysis according to the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Differences between urban and rural regions were evident in the use of certified hospitals and outpatient treatment. In addition, an undersupply of adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment became apparent, so that compliance with the guidelines can only be assumed to a limited extent. Overall survival was significantly higher in patients living in urban regions as compared to those from rural areas, which is mainly due to earlier diagnosis, younger age, fewer comorbidities and more adequate cancer therapy. CONCLUSION There is an urgent need to optimize healthcare structures and processes to enable early diagnosis and barrier-free use of adequate therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Beutner
- Institut für Gesundheits- und Pflegewissenschaft, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Medenwald
- Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinikum Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Gabriele Meyer
- Institut für Gesundheits- und Pflegewissenschaft, Medizinische Fakultät der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Sawaf T, Gudipudi R, Ofshteyn A, Sarode AL, Bingmer K, Bliggenstorfer J, Stein SL, Steinhagen E. Disparities in Clinical Trial Enrollment and Reporting in Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Demographic Comparison to the National Cancer Database. Am Surg 2024; 90:130-139. [PMID: 37670471 DOI: 10.1177/00031348231191175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer care guidelines based on clinical trial data in homogenous populations may not be applicable to all rectal cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients enrolled in rectal cancer clinical trials (CTs) are representative of United States (U.S.) rectal cancer patients. METHODS Prospective rectal cancer CTs from 2010 to 2019 in the United States were systematically reviewed. In trials with multiple arms reporting separate demographic variables, each arm was considered a separate CT group in the analysis. Demographic variables considered in the analysis were age, sex, race/ethnicity, facility location throughout the United States, rural vs urban geography, and facility type. Participant demographics from trial and the National Cancer Database (NCDB) participants were compared using chi-squared goodness of fit and one-sample t-test where applicable. RESULTS Of 50 CT groups identified, 42 (82%) studies reported mean or median age. Trial participants were younger compared to NCDB patients (P < .001 all studies). All but three trials had fewer female patients than NCDB (48.2% female, P < .001). Less than half the CT groups reported on race or ethnicity. Eighteen out of 22 trials (82%) had a smaller percentage of Black patients and 4 out of 8 (50%) trials had fewer Hispanic or Spanish origin patients than the NCDB. No CTs reported comorbidities, socioeconomic factors, or education. CT primary sites were largely at academic centers and in urban areas. CONCLUSION The present study supports the need for improved demographic representation and transparency in rectal cancer clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuleen Sawaf
- Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rachana Gudipudi
- Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Asya Ofshteyn
- Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anuja L Sarode
- Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Katherine Bingmer
- Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Sharon L Stein
- Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Emily Steinhagen
- Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
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12
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Turner M, Carriere R, Fielding S, Ramsay G, Samuel L, Maclaren A, Murchie P. The impact of travel time to cancer treatment centre on post-diagnosis care and mortality among cancer patients in Scotland. Health Place 2023; 84:103139. [PMID: 37979314 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Limited data exist on the effect of travelling time on post-diagnosis cancer care and mortality. We analysed the impact of travel time to cancer treatment centre on secondary care contact time and one-year mortality using a data-linkage study in Scotland with 17369 patients. Patients with longer travelling time and island-dwellers had increased incidence rate of secondary care cancer contact time. For outpatient oncology appointments, the incidence rate was decreased for island-dwellers. Longer travelling time was not associated with increased secondary care contact time for emergency cancer admissions or time to first emergency cancer admission. Living on an island increased mortality at one-year. Adjusting for cancer-specific secondary care contact time increased the hazard of death, and adjusting for oncology outpatient time decreased the hazard of death for island-dwellers. Those with longer travelling times experience the cancer treatment pathway differently with poorer outcomes. Cancer services may need to be better configured to suit differing needs of dispersed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Turner
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Romi Carriere
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Campus of Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Shona Fielding
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - George Ramsay
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Foresterhill Health Campus, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK
| | - Leslie Samuel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK
| | - Andrew Maclaren
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Peter Murchie
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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13
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Lin CC, Hill CE, Kerber KA, Burke JF, Skolarus LE, Esper GJ, de Havenon A, De Lott LB, Callaghan BC. Patient Travel Distance to Neurologist Visits. Neurology 2023; 101:e1807-e1820. [PMID: 37704403 PMCID: PMC10634641 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The density of neurologists within a given geographic region varies greatly across the United States. We aimed to measure patient travel distance and travel time to neurologist visits, across neurologic conditions and subspecialties. Our secondary goal was to identify factors associated with long-distance travel for neurologic care. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis using a 2018 Medicare sample of patients with at least 1 outpatient neurologist visit. Long-distance travel was defined as driving distance ≥50 miles 1-way to the visit. Travel time was measured as driving time in minutes. Multilevel generalized linear mixed models with logistic link function, which accounted for clustering of patients within hospital referral region and allowed modeling of region-specific random effects, were used to determine the association of patient and regional characteristics with long-distance travel. RESULTS We identified 563,216 Medicare beneficiaries with a neurologist visit in 2018. Of them, 96,213 (17%) traveled long distance for care. The median driving distance and time were 81.3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 59.9-144.2) miles and 90 (IQR: 69-149) minutes for patients with long-distance travel compared with 13.2 (IQR: 6.5-23) miles and 22 (IQR: 14-33) minutes for patients without long-distance travel. Comparing across neurologic conditions, long-distance travel was most common for nervous system cancer care (39.6%), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] (32.1%), and MS (22.8%). Many factors were associated with long-distance travel, most notably low neurologist density (first quintile: OR 3.04 [95% CI 2.41-3.83] vs fifth quintile), rural setting (4.89 [4.79-4.99]), long-distance travel to primary care physician visit (3.6 [3.51-3.69]), and visits for ALS and nervous system cancer care (3.41 [3.14-3.69] and 5.27 [4.72-5.89], respectively). Nearly one-third of patients bypassed the nearest neurologist by 20+ miles, and 7.3% of patients crossed state lines for neurologist care. DISCUSSION We found that nearly 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries who saw a neurologist traveled ≥50 miles 1-way for care, and travel burden was most common for lower-prevalence neurologic conditions that required coordinated multidisciplinary care. Important potentially addressable predictors of long-distance travel were low neurologist density and rural location, suggesting interventions to improve access to care such as telemedicine or neurologic subspecialist support to local neurologists. Future work should evaluate differences in clinical outcomes between patients with long-distance travel and those without.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chieh Lin
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT.
| | - Chloe E Hill
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Kevin A Kerber
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - James F Burke
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Lesli E Skolarus
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Gregory J Esper
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Adam de Havenon
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Lindsey B De Lott
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Brian C Callaghan
- From the Department of Neurology (C.C.L., C.E.H., L.B.D.L., B.C.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (C.C.L., K.A.K., J.F.B.), the Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (L.E.S.), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Neurology (G.J.E.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (A.H.), Yale University, New Haven, CT
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14
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Logan CD, Nunnally SEA, Valukas C, Warwar S, Swinarska JT, Lee FT, Bentrem DJ, Odell DD, Elaraj DM, Sturgeon C. Association between travel distance and overall survival among patients with adrenocortical carcinoma. J Surg Oncol 2023; 128:749-763. [PMID: 37403612 PMCID: PMC10997292 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27387] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Regionalization of care is associated with improved perioperative outcomes after adrenalectomy. However, the relationship between travel distance and treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is unknown. We investigated the association between travel distance, treatment, and overall survival (OS) among patients with ACC. METHODS Patients diagnosed with ACC between 2004 and 2017 were identified with the National Cancer Database. Long distance was defined as the highest quintile of travel (≥42.2 miles). The likelihood of surgical management and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) were determined. The association between travel distance, treatment, and OS was evaluated. RESULTS Of 3492 patients with ACC included, 2337 (66.9%) received surgery. Rural residents were more likely to travel long distances for surgery than metropolitan residents (65.8% vs. 15.5%, p < 0.001), and surgery was associated with improved OS (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.34-0.54). Overall, 807 (23.1%) patients received AC with rates decreasing approximately 1% per 4-mile travel distance increase. Also, long distance travel was associated with worse OS among surgically treated patients (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.05-1.40). CONCLUSIONS Surgery was associated with improved overall survival for patients with ACC. However, increased travel distance was associated with lower likelihood to receive adjuvant chemotherapy and decreased overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D. Logan
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Surgery, Canning Thoracic Institute, Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sara E. A. Nunnally
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Catherine Valukas
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Samantha Warwar
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joanna T. Swinarska
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Frances T. Lee
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - David J. Bentrem
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - David D. Odell
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Surgery, Canning Thoracic Institute, Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Dina M. Elaraj
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cord Sturgeon
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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15
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Gomez SL, Chirikova E, McGuire V, Collin LJ, Dempsey L, Inamdar PP, Lawson-Michod K, Peters ES, Kushi LH, Kavecansky J, Shariff-Marco S, Peres LC, Terry P, Bandera EV, Schildkraut JM, Doherty JA, Lawson A. Role of neighborhood context in ovarian cancer survival disparities: current research and future directions. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 229:366-376.e8. [PMID: 37116824 PMCID: PMC10538437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-associated mortality among US women with survival disparities seen across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, even after accounting for histology, stage, treatment, and other clinical factors. Neighborhood context can play an important role in ovarian cancer survival, and, to the extent to which minority racial and ethnic groups and populations of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to be segregated into neighborhoods with lower quality social, built, and physical environment, these contextual factors may be a critical component of ovarian cancer survival disparities. Understanding factors associated with ovarian cancer outcome disparities will allow clinicians to identify patients at risk for worse outcomes and point to measures, such as social support programs or transportation aid, that can help to ameliorate such disparities. However, research on the impact of neighborhood contextual factors in ovarian cancer survival and in disparities in ovarian cancer survival is limited. This commentary focuses on the following neighborhood contextual domains: structural and institutional context, social context, physical context represented by environmental exposures, built environment, rurality, and healthcare access. The research conducted to date is presented and clinical implications and recommendations for future interventions and studies to address disparities in ovarian cancer outcomes are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett L Gomez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
| | - Ekaterina Chirikova
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Valerie McGuire
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lindsay J Collin
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Lauren Dempsey
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Pushkar P Inamdar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Katherine Lawson-Michod
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Edward S Peters
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Omaha, NE
| | - Lawrence H Kushi
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Juraj Kavecansky
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Antioch, CA
| | - Salma Shariff-Marco
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lauren C Peres
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Paul Terry
- Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
| | - Elisa V Bandera
- Cancer Epidemiology and Health Outcomes, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Joellen M Schildkraut
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jennifer A Doherty
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Andrew Lawson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; Usher Institute, School of Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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16
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Díaz JFR. Impact of outpatient radiotherapy on direct non-medical cost in patients in the Central Macro Region of Peru 2021. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1580. [PMID: 37533938 PMCID: PMC10393304 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1580] [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: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Financial toxicity arises in cancer patients due to the objective financial burden of the disease or treatment, being associated with worse clinical outcomes. Direct non-medical spending on cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Peru under its publicly funded health system has not been described. Objective To know the expenses related to the transfer of the radiotherapy outpatient. Methodology For patients who started radiation therapy in 2021, treatment demographics and expenses related to transporting the patient from home to the radiation therapy center were prospectively collected. Association and connection tests were used, such as the Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis U-test and Spearman's Rho. A value of p < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results 398 patients were collected, with average weekly expenses for transportation, lodging and food of $17.04, $6.69 and $45.91, respectively. Confirmation was positive between weekly spending and remoteness, likewise it was negative between effective teletherapy and remoteness, both analyses being statistically significant. Conclusion The expense associated with transfer for radiotherapy is high, exceeding the average monthly income of the patient, as a consequence they have a worse therapeutic result, and may cause financial toxicity in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Fernando Robles Díaz
- Regional Institute for Neoplastic Diseases, Central Region, Concepción, Junín 12731, Peru and Universidad Peruana Los Andes, Huancayo, Junín 12731, Perú
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Yeo S, Lee U, Xu YH, Simmons C, Smrke A, Wang Y. Survival Outcomes of Ewing Sarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma by High- versus Low-Volume Cancer Centres in British Columbia, Canada. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13111973. [PMID: 37296824 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13111973] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the rarity and complexity of treatment for Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, studies demonstrate improved patient outcomes when managed by a multidisciplinary team at high-volume centres (HVCs). Our study explores the difference in outcomes of Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma patients based on the centre of initial consultation in British Columbia, Canada. This retrospective study assessed adults diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2020 undergoing curative intent therapy in one of five cancer centres across the province. Seventy-seven patients were included, 46 seen at HVCs and 31 at low-volume centres (LVCs). Patients at HVCs were younger (32.1 vs. 40.8 years, p = 0.020) and more likely to receive curative intent radiation (88% vs. 67%, p = 0.047). The time from diagnosis to first chemotherapy was 24 days shorter at HVCs (26 vs. 50 days, p = 0.120). There was no significant difference in overall survival by treatment centre (HR 0.850, 95% CI 0.448-1.614). Variations in care exist amongst patients treated at HVCs vs. LVCs, which may reflect differences in access to resources, clinical specialists, and varying practice patterns across centres. This study can be used to inform decisions regarding triaging and centralization of Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Yeo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ursula Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- BC Cancer Surrey, Surrey, BC V3V 1Z2, Canada
| | - Ying Hui Xu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Christine Simmons
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- BC Cancer Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
| | - Alannah Smrke
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- BC Cancer Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
| | - Ying Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- BC Cancer Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
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De Leo AN, Giap F, Culbert MM, Drescher N, Brisson RJ, Cassidy V, Augustin EM, Casper A, Horowitz DH, Cheng SK, Yu JB. Nationwide changes in radiation oncology travel and location of care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Radiat Oncol J 2023; 41:108-119. [PMID: 37403353 PMCID: PMC10326508 DOI: 10.3857/roj.2023.00164] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus disease (COVID). Transportation barriers made travel to obtain medical care more difficult during the pandemic. Whether these factors led to changes in the distance traveled for radiotherapy and the coordinated location of radiation treatment is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed patients across 60 cancer sites in the National Cancer Database from 2018 to 2020. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed for changes in distance traveled for radiotherapy. We designated the facilities in the 99th percentile or above in terms of the proportion of patients who traveled more than 200 miles as "destination facilities." We defined "coordinated care" as undergoing radiotherapy at the same facility where the cancer was diagnosed. RESULTS We evaluated 1,151,954 patients. There was a greater than 1% decrease in the proportion of patients treated in the Mid-Atlantic States. Mean distance traveled from place of residence to radiation treatment decreased from 28.6 to 25.9 miles, and the proportion traveling greater than 50 miles decreased from 7.7% to 7.1%. At "destination facilities," the proportion traveling more than 200 miles decreased from 29.3% in 2018 to 24% in 2020. In comparison, at the other hospitals, the proportion traveling more than 200 miles decreased from 1.07% to 0.97%. In 2020, residing in a rural area resulted in a lower odds of having coordinated care (multivariable odds ratio = 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.95). CONCLUSION The first year of the COVID pandemic measurably impacted the location of U.S. radiation therapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N. De Leo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Fantine Giap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Matthew M. Culbert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nicolette Drescher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ryan J. Brisson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Vincent Cassidy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Anthony Casper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David H. Horowitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simon K. Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - James B. Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Francis Hospital and Trinity Health of New England, Hartford, CT, USA
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Owsley KM, Bradley CJ. Access To Oncology Services In Rural Areas: Influence Of The 340B Drug Pricing Program. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:785-794. [PMID: 37276477 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Rural-urban cancer disparities, including greater mortality rates, are partially attributable to the limited availability of oncology services in rural communities. Without these services, rural residents may experience delays in timely treatment and may be less likely to complete recommended care. The 340B Drug Pricing Program allows eligible not-for-profit and public hospitals to purchase covered outpatient drugs, including high-cost oncology drugs, at discounted prices. Using 2011-20 data, we evaluated the relationship between new enrollment in the 340B program and oncology services initiation in rural general acute care hospitals that lacked oncology services in 2011. Compared with hospitals that remained unenrolled in the 340B program through 2020, hospitals that enrolled during 2012-18 were 8.3 percentage points more likely to have added oncology services as of 2020. The newly participating hospitals that added oncology services were disproportionately located in Medicaid expansion states and in counties with lower uninsurance rates. These findings suggest that the 340B program facilitates expanded access to oncology services in some rural communities, but opportunities remain to address disparities in the most disadvantaged service areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Owsley
- Kelsey M. Owsley , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Cathy J Bradley
- Cathy J. Bradley, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Nadella P, Iyer HS, Manirakiza A, Vanderpuye V, Triedman SA, Shulman LN, Fadelu T. Geographic Accessibility of Radiation Therapy Facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 115:557-563. [PMID: 36725167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Access to radiation therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains unacceptably low. Prior studies have focused on how many radiation therapy machines a country has but have not accounted for geographic accessibility, which is a known barrier to radiation therapy compliance. In this study, we describe accessibility measured as travel time by road to radiation therapy in SSA. METHODS AND MATERIALS This study used geographic information systems modeling techniques. A list of radiation therapy facilities was obtained from the Directory of Radiotherapy Centres. We obtained a 1 km2 surface of travel times using a least-cost-path algorithm implemented in Google Earth Engine (Google, Mountain View, CA). AccessMod 5 (World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland) was used to compute the percentage of each country's population with access to a radiation therapy facility within prespecified one-way travel time intervals. We then ranked countries using 3 measures of access: 2-hour geographic access, units per capita, and units per cancer case. RESULTS Only 24.4% of the population of SSA can access a radiation therapy facility within 2 hours of travel by road; access was 14.6% and 42.5% within 1 and 4 hours, respectively. More than 80% of Rwandans and South Africans were within 2 hours of radiation therapy, the highest in the region. Although countries with more radiation therapy units per capita tended to have higher 2-hour access, there was notable discordance between the 2 measures. Mauritania, Zambia, Sudan, and Namibia were among the top 10 countries ranked by machines per capita, but none ranked in the top 10 by 2-hour geographic access. There was similar discordance between 2-hour access and radiation therapy units per cancer case; Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cote d'Ivoire ranked in the top 10 for the former but ranked worse using units per cancer case. CONCLUSIONS Prior measures of radiation therapy access provide an incomplete picture. Geographic location of radiation therapy centers is a crucial component of access that should be considered for future planning in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranay Nadella
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hari S Iyer
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Verna Vanderpuye
- National Center for Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Scott A Triedman
- Center for Global Cancer Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Lawrence N Shulman
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Temidayo Fadelu
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Global Cancer Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Molina G, Ruan M, Lipsitz SR, Iyer HS, Hassett MJ, Brindle ME, Trinh QD. Association of Variation in US County-Level Rates of Liver Surgical Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis With Poverty Rates in 2010. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e230797. [PMID: 36848088 PMCID: PMC9972196 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Among patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) who are eligible for curative-intent liver surgical resection, only half undergo liver metastasectomy. It is currently unclear how rates of liver metastasectomy vary geographically in the US. Geographic differences in county-level socioeconomic characteristics may, in part, explain variability in the receipt of liver metastasectomy for CRLM. OBJECTIVE To describe county-level variation in the receipt of liver metastasectomy for CRLM in the US and its association with poverty rates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This ecological, cross-sectional, and county-level analysis was conducted using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Research Plus database. The study included the county-level proportion of patients who had colorectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018, underwent primary surgical resection, and had liver metastasis without extrahepatic metastasis. The county-level proportion of patients with stage I colorectal cancer (CRC) was used as a comparator. Data analysis was performed on March 2, 2022. EXPOSURES County-level poverty in 2010 obtained from the US Census (proportion of county population below the federal poverty level). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was county-level odds of liver metastasectomy for CRLM. The comparator outcome was county-level odds of surgical resection for stage I CRC. Multivariable binomial logistic regression accounting for clustering of outcomes within a county via an overdispersion parameter was used to estimate the county-level odds of receiving a liver metastasectomy for CRLM associated with a 10% increase in poverty rate. RESULTS In the 194 US counties included in this study, there were 11 348 patients. At the county level, the majority of the population was male (mean [SD], 56.9% [10.2%]), White (71.9% [20.0%]), and aged between 50 and 64 (38.1% [11.0%]) or 65 and 79 (33.6% [11.4%]) years. The adjusted odds of undergoing a liver metastasectomy was lower in counties with higher poverty in 2010 (per 10% increase; odds ratio, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.69-0.96]; P = .02). County-level poverty was not associated with receipt of surgery for stage I CRC. Despite the difference in rates of surgery (mean county-level rates were 0.24 for liver metastasectomy for CRLM and 0.75 for surgery for stage I CRC), the variance at the county-level for these 2 surgical procedures was similar (F370, 193 = 0.81; P = .08). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this study suggest that higher poverty was associated with lower receipt of liver metastasectomy among US patients with CRLM. Surgery for a more common and less complex cancer comparator (ie, stage I CRC) was not observed to be associated with county-level poverty rates. However, county-level variation in surgical rates was similar for CRLM and stage I CRC. These findings further suggest that access to surgical care for complex gastrointestinal cancers such as CRLM may be partially influenced by where patients live.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Molina
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mengyuan Ruan
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stuart R. Lipsitz
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hari S. Iyer
- Section of Epidemiology and Health Outcomes, Rutgers-Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick
| | - Michael J. Hassett
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mary E. Brindle
- Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Quoc-Dien Trinh
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Urological Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Diaz Pardo A, Mamon H, Jimenez R. Hypofractionation: Contracting or Expanding Disparities in the Receipt of Radiation Therapy? JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:67-69. [PMID: 36623231 DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Harvey Mamon
- Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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23
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Shalowitz DI, Magalhaes M, Miller FG. Ethical Outreach for Rural Cancer Care in the United States: Balancing Access With Optimal Clinical Outcomes. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:225-229. [PMID: 36689691 DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David I Shalowitz
- Section on Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Monica Magalhaes
- Center for Population-Level Bioethics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
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Shalowitz DI, Hung P, Zahnd WE, Eberth J. Pre-pandemic geographic access to hospital-based telehealth for cancer care in the United States. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281071. [PMID: 36719889 PMCID: PMC9888704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Little is known about US hospitals' capacity to ensure equitable provision of cancer care through telehealth. OBJECTIVE To conduct a national analysis of hospitals' provision of telehealth and oncologic services prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, along with geographic and sociodemographic correlates of access. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cross-sectional analysis with Geographic Information Systems mapping of 1) 2019 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Hospital Survey and IT Supplement, 2) 2013 Urban Influence Codes (UIC) from the United States Department of Agriculture, 3) 2018 Area Health Resources Files from the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA). INTERVENTIONS Hospitals were categorized by telehealth and oncology services availability. Counties were classified as low-, moderate-, or high-access based on availability of hospital-based oncology and telehealth within their boundaries. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Geospatial mapping of access to hospital-based telehealth for cancer care. Generalized logistic mixed effects models identified associations between sociodemographic factors and county- and hospital-level access to telehealth and oncology care. RESULTS 2,054 out of 4,540 hospitals (45.2%) reported both telehealth and oncology services. 272 hospitals (6.0%) offered oncology without telehealth, 1,369 (30.2%) offered telehealth without oncology, and 845 (18.6%) hospitals offered neither. 1,288 out of 3,152 counties with 26.6 million residents across 41 states had no hospital-based access to either oncology or telehealth. After adjustment, rural hospitals were less likely than urban hospitals to offer telehealth alongside existing oncology care (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.14-0.55; p < .001). No county-level factors were significantly associated with telehealth availability among hospitals with oncology. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Hospital-based cancer care and telehealth are widely available across the US; however, 8.4% of patients are at risk for geographic barriers to cancer care. Advocacy for adoption of telehealth is critical to ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer care, ultimately reducing place-based outcomes disparities. Detailed, prospective, data collection on telehealth utilization for cancer care is also needed to ensure improvement in geographic access inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I. Shalowitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section on Gynecologic Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Implementation Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Peiyin Hung
- Rural & Minority Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Whitney E. Zahnd
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jan Eberth
- Rural & Minority Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Ahmed FA, Elshami M, Hue JJ, Kakish H, Drapalik LM, Ocuin LM, Hardacre JM, Ammori JB, Steinhagen E, Rothermel LD, Hoehn RS. Disparities in treatment and survival for patients with isolated colorectal liver metastases. Surgery 2022; 172:1629-1635. [PMID: 38375786 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgical resection improves survival for patients with isolated colorectal liver metastasis. National studies on the disparities related to this topic are limited; therefore, we investigated factors that affect surgical treatment and survival. METHODS We queried the National Cancer Database (2010-2017) for patients with isolated synchronous colorectal liver metastasis. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to identify factors associated with surgical resection, treatment at high-volume facilities, and overall survival. RESULTS Of 34,050 patients with isolated colorectal liver metastasis, surgical resection (n = 7,810; 23.0%) was more likely among patients who were of high socioeconomic status (odds ratio = 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.31), traveled long distance for treatment (odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.66), and were treated at high-volume facilities (odds ratio = 4.86; 95% confidence interval, 14.45-5.30). Black patients were less likely to undergo resection (odds ratio = 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.82). Treatment at high-volume facility was more common among patients who were Black (odds ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.21), were of high socioeconomic status (socioeconomic status index 7: odds ratio = 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.31), and traveled long distance (odds ratio = 4.03; 95% confidence interval, 3.63-4.48) and less likely for nonmetropolitan residents and those of low socioeconomic status (P < .05). Patients of high socioeconomic status and those who traveled long distance, were treated at high-volume facilities, underwent surgical resection, and received perioperative chemotherapy had an associated survival advantage (P < .05 for all), whereas Black race was associated with poorer overall survival (P < .05). CONCLUSION Nonmedical patient factors, such as race, socioeconomic status, and geography, are associated with treatment and survival for isolated colorectal liver metastases. Disparities persist after adjusting for surgical resection and treatment facility. These barriers must be addressed to improve care for vulnerable cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fasih Ali Ahmed
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Mohamedraed Elshami
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Jonathan J Hue
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Hanna Kakish
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Lauren M Drapalik
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Lee M Ocuin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Jeffrey M Hardacre
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - John B Ammori
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Emily Steinhagen
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Luke D Rothermel
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH
| | - Richard S Hoehn
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH.
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Logan CD, Feinglass J, Halverson AL, Lung K, Kim S, Bharat A, Odell DD. Rural-urban survival disparities for patients with surgically treated lung cancer. J Surg Oncol 2022; 126:1341-1349. [PMID: 36115023 PMCID: PMC9710511 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common diagnosis among patients living in rural areas and small towns who face unique challenges accessing care. We examined differences in survival for surgically treated rural and small-town patients compared to those from urban and metropolitan areas. METHODS The National Cancer Database was used to identify surgically treated NSCLC patients from 2004 to 2016. Patients from rural/small-town counties were compared to urban/metro counties. Differences in patient clinical, sociodemographic, hospital, and travel characteristics were described. Survival differences were examined with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS The study included 366 373 surgically treated NSCLC patients with 12.4% (n = 45 304) categorized as rural/small-town. Rural/small-town patients traveled farther for treatment and were from areas characterized by lower income and education(all p < 0.001). Survival probabilities for rural/small-town patients were worse at 1 year (85% vs. 87%), 5 years (48% vs. 54%), and 10 years (26% vs. 31%) (p < 0.001). Travel distance >100 miles (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.16, vs. <25 miles) and living in a rural/small-town county (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) were associated with increased risk for death. CONCLUSIONS Rural and small-town patients with surgically treated NSCLC had worse survival outcomes compared to urban and metropolitan patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D. Logan
- Department of SurgerySurgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Joe Feinglass
- Department of MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Amy L. Halverson
- Department of SurgerySurgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Kalvin Lung
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of SurgeryNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Samuel Kim
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of SurgeryNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ankit Bharat
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of SurgeryNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - David D. Odell
- Department of SurgerySurgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of SurgeryNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Obrochta CA, Parada H, Murphy JD, Nara A, Trinidad D, Araneta MR(H, Thompson CA. The impact of patient travel time on disparities in treatment for early stage lung cancer in California. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272076. [PMID: 36197902 PMCID: PMC9534452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travel time to treatment facilities may impede the receipt of guideline-concordant treatment (GCT) among patients diagnosed with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC). We investigated the relative contribution of travel time in the receipt of GCT among ES-NSCLC patients. METHODS We included 22,821 ES-NSCLC patients diagnosed in California from 2006-2015. GCT was defined using the 2016 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, and delayed treatment was defined as treatment initiation >6 versus ≤6 weeks after diagnosis. Mean-centered driving and public transit times were calculated from patients' residential block group centroid to the treatment facilities. We used logistic regression to estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between patients' travel time and receipt of GCT and timely treatment, overall and by race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES). RESULTS Overall, a 15-minute increase in travel time was associated with a decreased risk of undertreatment and delayed treatment. Compared to Whites, among Blacks, a 15-minute increase in driving time was associated with a 24% (95%CI = 8%-42%) increased risk of undertreatment, and among Filipinos, a 15-minute increase in public transit time was associated with a 27% (95%CI = 13%-42%) increased risk of delayed treatment. Compared to the highest nSES, among the lowest nSES, 15-minute increases in driving and public transit times were associated with 33% (95%CI = 16%-52%) and 27% (95%CI = 16%-39%) increases in the risk of undertreatment and delayed treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION The benefit of GCT observed with increased travel times may be a 'Travel Time Paradox,' and may vary across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A. Obrochta
- San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, California, United States of America
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Humberto Parada
- San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, California, United States of America
- University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James D. Murphy
- University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Nara
- Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Dennis Trinidad
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | - Caroline A. Thompson
- San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, California, United States of America
- University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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28
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Hande V, Chan J, Polo A. Value of Geographical Information Systems in Analyzing Geographic Accessibility to Inform Radiotherapy Planning: A Systematic Review. JCO Glob Oncol 2022; 8:e2200106. [PMID: 36122318 PMCID: PMC9812498 DOI: 10.1200/go.22.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Vulnerable populations face geographical barriers in accessing radiotherapy (RT) facilities, resulting in heterogeneity of care received and cancer burden faced. We aimed to explore the current use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in access to RT and use these findings to create sustainable solutions against barriers for access in low- and middle-income countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review using the PRISMA search strategy was done for studies using GIS to explore outcomes among patients with cancer. Included studies were reviewed and classified into three umbrella categories of how GIS has been used in studying access to RT. RESULTS Forty articles were included in the final review. Thirty-eight articles were set in high-income countries and two in upper-middle-income countries. Included studies were published from 2000 to 2020, and were comprised of patients with all-cancers combined, breast, colon, skin, lung, prostate, ovarian, and rectal carcinoma patients. Studies were categorized under three groups on the basis of how they used GIS in their analyses: to describe geographic access to RT, to associate geographic access to RT with outcomes, and for RT planning. Most studies fell under multiple categories. CONCLUSION Although this field is relative nascent, there is a wide array of functions possible through GIS for RT planning, including identifying high-risk populations, improving access in high-need areas, and providing valuable information for future resource allocation. GIS should be incorporated in future studies, especially set in low- and middle-income countries, which evaluate access to RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Hande
- Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jessica Chan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alfredo Polo
- Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria,Alfredo Polo, MD, PhD, Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria; e-mail:
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Wercholuk AN, Parikh AA, Snyder RA. The Road Less Traveled: Transportation Barriers to Cancer Care Delivery in the Rural Patient Population. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:652-662. [DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with cancer residing in geographically rural areas experience lower rates of preventative screening, more advanced disease at presentation, and higher mortality rates compared with urban populations. Although multiple factors contribute, access to transportation has been proposed as a critical barrier affecting timeliness and quality of health care delivery in rural populations. Patients from geographically rural regions may face a variety of transportation barriers, including lack of public transportation, limited access to private vehicles, and increased travel distance to specialized oncologic care. A search using PubMed was conducted to identify articles pertaining to transportation barriers to cancer care and tested interventions in rural patient populations. Studies demonstrate that transportation barriers are associated with delayed follow-up after abnormal screening test results, decreased access to specialized oncology care, and lower rates of receipt of guideline-concordant treatment. Low clinical trial enrollment and variability in survivorship care are also linked to transportation barriers in rural patient populations. Given the demonstrated impact of transportation access on equitable cancer care delivery, several interventions have been tested. Telehealth visits and outreach clinics appear to reduce patient travel burden and increase access to specialized care, and patient navigation programs are effective in connecting patients with local resources, such as free or subsidized nonemergency medical transportation. To ensure equal access to high-quality cancer care and reduce geographic disparities, the design and implementation of tailored, multilevel interventions to address transportation barriers affecting rural communities is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N. Wercholuk
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Alexander A. Parikh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Rebecca A. Snyder
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
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Bhatia S, Landier W, Paskett ED, Peters KB, Merrill JK, Phillips J, Osarogiagbon RU. Rural-Urban Disparities in Cancer Outcomes: Opportunities for Future Research. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:940-952. [PMID: 35148389 PMCID: PMC9275775 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer care disparities among rural populations are increasingly documented and may be worsening, likely because of the impact of rurality on access to state-of-the-art cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services, as well as higher rates of risk factors such as smoking and obesity. In 2018, the American Society of Clinical Oncology undertook an initiative to understand and address factors contributing to rural cancer care disparities. A key pillar of this initiative was to identify knowledge gaps and promote the research needed to understand the magnitude of difference in outcomes in rural vs nonrural settings, the drivers of those differences, and interventions to address them. The purpose of this review is to describe continued knowledge gaps and areas of priority research to address them. We conducted a comprehensive literature review by searching the PubMed (Medline), Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published in English between 1971 and 2021 and restricted to primary reports from populations in the United States and abstracted data to synthesize current evidence and identify continued gaps in knowledge. Our review identified continuing gaps in the literature regarding the underlying causes of rural-urban disparities in cancer outcomes. Rapid advances in cancer care will worsen existing disparities in outcomes for rural patients without directed effort to understand and address barriers to high-quality care in these areas. Research should be prioritized to address ongoing knowledge gaps about the drivers of rurality-based disparities and preventative and corrective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Bhatia
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Wendy Landier
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Leader AE, McNair C, Yurick C, Huesser M, Schade E, Stimmel EE, Lerman C, Knudsen KE. Assessing the Coverage of US Cancer Center Primary Catchment Areas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022; 31:955-964. [PMID: 35064067 PMCID: PMC9081121 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-21-1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer centers are expected to engage communities and reduce the burden of cancer in their catchment areas. However, the extent to which cancer centers adequately reach the entire US population is unknown. METHODS We surveyed all members of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (N = 102 cancer centers) to document and map each cancer center's primary catchment area. Catchment area descriptions were aggregated to the county level. Catchment area coverage scores were calculated for each county and choropleths generated representing coverage across the US. Similar analyses were used to overlay US population density, cancer incidence, and cancer-related mortality compared with each county's cancer center catchment area coverage. RESULTS Roughly 85% of US counties were included in at least one cancer center's primary catchment area. However, 15% of US counties, or roughly 25 million Americans, do not reside in a catchment area. When catchment area coverage was integrated with population density, cancer incidence, and cancer-related mortality metrics, geographical trends in both over- and undercoverage were apparent. CONCLUSIONS Geographic gaps in cancer center catchment area coverage exist and may be propagating cancer disparities. Efforts to ensure coverage to all Americans should be a priority of cancer center leadership. IMPACT This is the first known geographic analysis and interpretation of the primary catchment areas of all US-based cancer centers and identifies key geographic gaps important to target for disparities reduction. See related commentary by Lieberman-Cribbin and Taioli, p. 949.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Leader
- Division of Population Science, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Corresponding Author: Amy E. Leader, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 834 Chestnut Street, Suite 314, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone: 215-955-7739; E-mail:
| | - Christopher McNair
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christina Yurick
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew Huesser
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth Schade
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emily E. Stimmel
- Association of American Cancer Institutes, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Caryn Lerman
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Karen E. Knudsen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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Sarap MD. Quality and Value in Rural Cancer Care. Am Surg 2022; 88:1749-1753. [PMID: 35430908 DOI: 10.1177/00031348221086801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 60 million people reside in rural America with only 10% of US general surgeons providing for their surgical care. Rural cancer care has been maligned in the literature due to a lack of understanding of local resource limitations and to the difficulties involved in documenting the quality of local cancer care in small and rural communities. A majority of US cancer patients are diagnosed and treated in community cancer programs, many of which are Commission on Cancer Accredited and deliver care that is of high quality and value. The article discusses the components of high quality health care and offers suggestions for solo or small group rural surgeons to assist in collection of their own quality data and comparison to national benchmarks. One small rural program in Appalachian Ohio is used for a best-case example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Sarap
- 21457Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Cambridge, OH, USA
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Lim SA, Hao SB, Boyd BA, Mitsakos A, Irish W, Burke AM, Parikh AA, Snyder RA. Opportunity Costs of Surgical Resection and Perioperative Chemotherapy for Locoregional Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:302-309. [PMID: 34709961 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Given the perioperative morbidity and intensity of multimodality treatment, patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) spend a substantial amount of time in clinical care. The primary aim was to determine total time spent in multimodality care for patients with locoregional PDAC. METHODS A cohort study of all patients who underwent curative-intent resection for PDAC at a single-institution, tertiary care center was performed (2015-2019). Exact times for all relevant visits were abstracted from the primary medical record, and travel time was calculated. Care time was divided into preoperative, surgical, radiation, and systemic therapy phases of care. Primary outcome measures were the percentage of total survival time (TST) and percentage of overall survival (OS) days spent in receipt of care. RESULTS One hundred seven patients were included. Patients spent a median of 5.0% (interquartile range [IQR] 2.4%-10.1%) of TST and 11.0% (IQR, 5.7%-20.4%) of OS days in receipt of clinical care. Preoperative, surgical, radiation, and systemic therapy phases of care comprised a median of 0.9% (IQR, 0.4%-2.2%), 3.0% (IQR, 1.9%-6.8%), 4.4% (IQR, 3.6%-6.3%), and 10.0% (IQR, 6.2%-14.1%) of OS days. The median per-visit travel time was 60 minutes (IQR, 32-120), and the median cumulative travel time was 22.0 hours (IQR, 12.0-51.5). 12.1% (n = 13) and 7.8% (n = 4) of patients spent > 10% of TST in receipt of surgical and systemic therapy care, respectively. CONCLUSION Patients with locoregional pancreatic cancer spend a considerable percentage of their survival time in receipt of oncologic care. Further research to determine predictors of increased time burden is warranted to better inform shared decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Aun Lim
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Scarlett B Hao
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Breana A Boyd
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Anastasios Mitsakos
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - William Irish
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Aidan M Burke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Alexander A Parikh
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Rebecca A Snyder
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
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Raman S, Tsoraides SS, Sylla P, Sarin A, Farkas L, DeKoster E, Hull T, Wexner S. Analysis of Patterns of Compliance with Accreditation Standards of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer. J Am Coll Surg 2022; 234:368-376. [PMID: 35213501 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We identified commonly deficient standards across rectal cancer programs that underwent accreditation review by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer to evaluate for patterns of noncompliance. STUDY DESIGN With the use of the internal database of the American College of Surgeons, programs that underwent accreditation review from 2018 to 2020 were evaluated. The occurrence and frequency of noncompliance with the standards, using the 2017 standards manual, were evaluated. Programs were further stratified based on the year of review, annual rectal cancer volume, and Commission on Cancer classification. RESULTS A total of 25 programs with annual rectal cancer volume from 14 to more than 200 cases per year underwent accreditation review. Only 2 programs achieved 100% compliance with all standards. Compliance with standards ranged from 48% to 100%. The 2 standards with the lowest level of compliance included standard 2.5 and standard 2.11 that require all patients with rectal cancer to be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting before the initiation of definitive treatment and within 4 weeks after definitive surgical therapy, respectively. Patterns of noncompliance persisted when programs were stratified on the basis oof the year of survey, annual rectal cancer volume, and Commission on Cancer classification. The corrective action process allowed all programs to ultimately become successfully accredited. CONCLUSION During this initial phase of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation, the majority of programs undergoing review did not achieve 100% compliance and went through a corrective action process. Although the minimal multidisciplinary team meeting attendance requirements were simplified in the 2021 revised standards, noncompliance related to presentation of all patients at the multidisciplinary team meeting before and after definitive treatment highlights the need for programs seeking accreditation to implement optimized and standardized workflows to achieve compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Raman
- From the MercyOne Des Moines Surgical Group, Des Moines, IA (Raman)
| | - Steven S Tsoraides
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria; Department of Surgery, Springfield Clinic, Peoria, IL (Tsoraides)
| | - Patricia Sylla
- Department of surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center New York, NY (Sylla)
| | - Ankit Sarin
- Department of surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA (Sarin)
| | - Linda Farkas
- Department of surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX (Farkas)
| | - Erin DeKoster
- Cancer programs, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL (DeKoster)
| | - Tracy Hull
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH (Hull)
| | - Steven Wexner
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL (Wexner)
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Frosch ZAK, Namoglu EC, Mitra N, Landsburg DJ, Nasta SD, Bekelman JE, Iyengar R, Guerra CE, Schapira MM. Willingness to Travel for Cellular Therapy: The Influence of Follow-Up Care Location, Oncologist Continuity, and Race. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e193-e203. [PMID: 34524837 PMCID: PMC8757965 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients weigh competing priorities when deciding whether to travel to a cellular therapy center for treatment. We conducted a choice-based conjoint analysis to determine the relative value they place on clinical factors, oncologist continuity, and travel time under different post-treatment follow-up arrangements. We also evaluated for differences in preferences by sociodemographic factors. METHODS We administered a survey in which patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma selected treatment plans between pairs of hypothetical options that varied in travel time, follow-up arrangement, oncologist continuity, 2-year overall survival, and intensive care unit admission rate. We determined importance weights (which represent attributes' value to participants) using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Three hundred and two patients (62%) responded. When all follow-up care was at the center providing treatment, plans requiring longer travel times were less attractive (v 30 minutes, importance weights [95% CI] of -0.54 [-0.80 to -0.27], -0.57 [-0.84 to -0.29], and -0.17 [-0.49 to 0.14] for 60, 90, and 120 minutes). However, the negative impact of travel on treatment plan choice was mitigated by offering shared follow-up (importance weights [95% CI] of 0.63 [0.33 to 0.93], 0.32 [0.08 to 0.57], and 0.26 [0.04 to 0.47] at 60, 90, and 120 minutes). Black participants were less likely to choose plans requiring longer travel, regardless of follow-up arrangement, as indicated by lower value importance weights for longer travel times. CONCLUSION Reducing travel burden through shared follow-up may increase patients' willingness to travel to receive cellular therapies, but additional measures are required to facilitate equitable access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. K. Frosch
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Zachary A. K. Frosch, MD, MSHP, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111; e-mail:
| | - Esin C. Namoglu
- Lymphoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nandita Mitra
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Daniel J. Landsburg
- Lymphoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sunita D. Nasta
- Lymphoma Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Justin E. Bekelman
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Raghuram Iyengar
- Marketing Department, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carmen E. Guerra
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Marilyn M. Schapira
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
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Maroongroge S, Wallington DG, Taylor PA, Zhu D, Guadagnolo BA, Smith BD, Yu JB, Ballas LK. Geographic Access to Radiation Therapy Facilities in the United States. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 112:600-610. [PMID: 34762972 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.10.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current distribution of radiation therapy (RT) facilities in the US is not well established. A comprehensive inventory of US RT facilities was last assessed in 2005, based on data from state regulatory agencies and dosimetric quality assurance bodies. We updated this database to characterize population-level measures of geographic access to RT and analyze changes over the past 15 years. METHODS We compiled data from regulatory and accrediting organizations to identify US facilities with linear accelerators used to treat humans in 2018-2020. Addresses were geocoded and analyzed with Geographic Information Services (GIS) software. Geographic access was characterized by assessing the Euclidian distance between zip code tabulation areas (ZCTA)/county centroids and RT facilities. Populations were assigned to each county to estimate the impact of facility changes at the population level. Logistic regressions were performed to identify features associated with increased distance to RT and associated with regions that gained an RT facility between the two time points studied. RESULTS In 2020, a total of 2,313 US RT facilities were reported compared to 1,987 in 2005, representing a 16.4% growth in facilities over nearly 15 years. Based on population attribution to ZCTA centroids, 77.9% of the US population lives within 12.5 miles of an RT facility, and 1.8% of the US population lives more than 50 miles from an RT facility. We found that increased distance to RT was associated with non-metro status, less insurance, older median age, and less populated regions. Between 2005 and 2020, the population living within 12.5 miles from an RT facility increased by 2.1 percentage points, while the population living furthest from RT facilities decreased 0.6 percentage points. Regions with improved geographic RT access are more likely to be higher income and better insured. CONCLUSION 1.8% of the US population has limited geographic access to radiation therapy. We found that people benefiting from improved access to RT facilities are more economically advantaged, suggesting disparities in geographic access may not improve without intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Maroongroge
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
| | | | - Paige A Taylor
- Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston QA Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Diana Zhu
- Department of Economics, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - B Ashleigh Guadagnolo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Benjamin D Smith
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - James B Yu
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Leslie K Ballas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
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Bates JE, Thaker NG, Shah CS, Royce TJ. Geography of the Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model. JCO Oncol Pract 2021; 17:770-772. [PMID: 34705494 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James E Bates
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Chriag S Shah
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
| | - Trevor J Royce
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.,Flatiron Health Inc, New York, NY
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Chioreso C, Gao X, Gribovskaja-Rupp I, Lin C, Ward MM, Schroeder MC, Lynch CF, Chrischilles EA, Charlton ME. Hospital and Surgeon Selection for Medicare Beneficiaries With Stage II/III Rectal Cancer: The Role of Rurality, Distance to Care, and Colonoscopy Provider. Ann Surg 2021; 274:e336-e344. [PMID: 31714306 PMCID: PMC7176526 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine factors associated with rectal cancer surgery performed at high-volume hospitals (HVHs) and by high-volume surgeons (HVSs), including the roles of rurality and diagnostic colonoscopy provider characteristics. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Although higher-volume hospitals/surgeons often achieve superior surgical outcomes, many rectal cancer resections are performed by lower-volume hospitals/surgeons, especially among rural populations. METHODS Patients age 66+ diagnosed from 2007 to 2011 with stage II/III primary rectal adenocarcinoma were selected from surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-medicare data. Patient ZIP codes were used to classify rural status. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with surgery by HVH and HVS. RESULTS Of 1601 patients, 22% were rural and 78% were urban. Fewer rural patients received surgery at a HVH compared to urban patients (44% vs 65%; P < 0.0001). Compared to urban patients, rural patients more often had colonoscopies performed by general surgeons (and less often from gastroenterologists or colorectal surgeons), and lived substantially further from HVHs; these factors were both associated with lower odds of surgery at a HVH or by a HVS. In addition, whereas over half of both rural and urban patients received their colonoscopy and surgery at the same hospital, rural patients who stayed at the same hospital were significantly less likely to receive surgery at a HVH or by a HVS compared to urban patients. CONCLUSIONS Rural rectal cancer patients are less likely to receive surgery from a HVH/HVS. The role of the colonoscopy provider has important implications for referral patterns and initiatives seeking to increase centralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Chioreso
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | | | - Chi Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Marcia M. Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
| | - Mary C. Schroeder
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Iowa City, IA
| | - Charles F. Lynch
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
- Iowa Cancer Registry, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
| | | | - Mary E. Charlton
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
- Iowa Cancer Registry, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA
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Tseng TS, Celestin MD, Yu Q, Li M, Luo T, Moody-Thomas S. Use of Geographic Information System Technology to Evaluate Health Disparities in Smoking Cessation Class Accessibility for Patients in Louisiana Public Hospitals. Front Public Health 2021; 9:712635. [PMID: 34476230 PMCID: PMC8406529 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.712635] [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: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has shown cigarette smoking is a major risk factors for many type of cancer or cancer prognosis. Tobacco related health disparities were addressed continually in cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. The present study evaluated the health disparities in attendance of smoking cessation counseling classes for 4,826 patients scheduled to attend between 2005 and 2007. Of 3,781 (78.4%) patients with records to calculate the distance from their home domicile to counseling sites using Geographic Information System technology, 1,435 (38%) of smokers who attended counseling had shorter travel distances to counseling sites (11.6 miles, SD = 11.29) compared to non-attendees (13.4 miles, SD = 16.72). When the travel distance was >20 miles, the estimated odds of attending decreased with greater travel distance. Smokers who actually attended were more likely to be older, female, White, living in urban areas, and receiving free healthcare. After controlling for other socio-demographic factors, shorter distances were associated with greater class attendance, and individuals more likely to attend included those that lived closer to the counseling site and in urban settings, were female, White, commercially insured, and older than their counterparts. These findings have the potential to provide important insights for reducing health disparities for cancer prevention and control, and to improve shared decision making between providers and smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung Sung Tseng
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Michael D Celestin
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Qingzhao Yu
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Mirandy Li
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Ting Luo
- Moores Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Sarah Moody-Thomas
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
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Quiñones-Avila V, Ortiz-Ortiz KJ, Ríos-Motta R, Marín-Centeno H, Tortolero-Luna G. Use of palliative radiotherapy among patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in Puerto Rico. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:127. [PMID: 34389004 PMCID: PMC8364074 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00819-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative radiotherapy (RT) represents an important treatment opportunity for improving the quality of life in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients through the management of symptoms within the course of the illness. The aim of the study is to determine the proportion of patients who had palliative RT within 12 months of diagnosis and evaluate the factors associated with it. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed using secondary data analysis from 2009 to 2015 from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry-Health Insurance Linkage Database (PRCCR-HILD). A logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with palliative RT. RESULTS Among the 929 patients identified with metastatic NSCLC, 33.80% received palliative RT within the first year after diagnosis. After adjusting for other covariates, receipt of chemotherapy (ORAdj = 3.90; 95% CI = 2.91-5.45; P < 0.001) and presence of symptoms (ORAdj = 1.41; 95% CI =1.00-1.98; P = 0.045) were associated with increased odds of palliative RT use. Although marginally significant, patients with private health insurance had increased odds of palliative RT use (ORAdj = 1.50; 95% CI = 0.98-2.29; P = 0.061) when compared to beneficiaries of Medicaid, after adjusting by other covariates. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study reveal concerning underuse of palliative RT among patients with metastatic NSCLC in Puerto Rico. Additional research is necessary to further understand the barriers to using palliative RT on the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Quiñones-Avila
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 363027, San Juan, 00936-3027, Puerto Rico
| | - Karen J Ortiz-Ortiz
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 363027, San Juan, 00936-3027, Puerto Rico. .,Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico. .,Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, University of Puerto Rico, Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
| | - Ruth Ríos-Motta
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 363027, San Juan, 00936-3027, Puerto Rico
| | - Heriberto Marín-Centeno
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 363027, San Juan, 00936-3027, Puerto Rico
| | - Guillermo Tortolero-Luna
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, University of Puerto Rico, Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Maillie L, Lazarev S, Simone CB, Sisk M. Geospatial Disparities in Access to Proton Therapy in the Continental United States. Cancer Invest 2021; 39:582-588. [PMID: 34152235 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2021.1944180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Proton therapy (PT) is an important component of therapy for select cancers, but no formal study of geospatial access to PT has been conducted to date. Population data for 320.7 million people in 32,644 zip codes were analyzed. Median travel time was 1.61 (IQR 0.67-3.36) hours for children and 1.64 (IQR 0.69-3.33) hours for adults. Significant variation in travel time to nearest PT center was observed between states. The West has a longer median travel time of 3.51 (IQR 1.15-7.13) hours when compared to the Midwest (1.70, IQR 0.79-2.69), South (1.60, IQR 0.61-3.12) and Northeast (1.04, IQR 0.57-2.01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Maillie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stanislav Lazarev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,New York Proton Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles B Simone
- New York Proton Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Sisk
- Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
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Hajiran A, Azizi M, Aydin AM, Chakiryan NH, Peyton CC, Boulware DC, Manley BJ, Gilbert SM, Sexton WJ. Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection Versus Surveillance for Adult Early Stage Pure Testicular Teratoma: A Nationwide Analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 2021; 28:3648-3655. [PMID: 33689081 PMCID: PMC9801512 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-09696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Following radical orchiectomy, surveillance and primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) are acceptable options for the management of early stage pure testicular teratoma in adult patients; however, there is no uniform consensus. The aim of this study was to investigate survival outcomes of adults with early stage pure testicular teratoma based on management strategy. METHODS Data was extracted from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from testicular cancer patients diagnosed with clinical stage (CS) I pure teratoma (pT1-4N0M0S0) between 2004 and 2014. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess clinical outcomes based on management strategy. RESULTS Of the 61,167 patients diagnosed with testicular cancer, 692 (1.1%) had pure teratoma. Only individuals with CS I disease were considered (n = 237). The median age was 28 (23-35) years. Overall, 43 (18%) patients underwent RPLND and 194 (82%) patients were managed with surveillance. There was an increase in surveillance for CS I teratoma during the study period. Increasing distance from residence to treatment facility was an unadjusted predictor for undergoing primary RPLND (p < 0.001). Median follow-up was 54 months and there was no significant difference in overall survival between CS I teratoma patients managed with RPLND and those managed with surveillance (p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS There has been a trend toward increasing adoption of surveillance for the management of early stage pure testicular teratoma in adults. Our findings suggest that surveillance provides comparable survival outcomes to primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hajiran
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Mounsif Azizi
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Ahmet M. Aydin
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Nicholas H. Chakiryan
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Charles C. Peyton
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - David C. Boulware
- Department of Biostatistics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Brandon J. Manley
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL,Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Scott M. Gilbert
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Wade J. Sexton
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
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Wang C, Wang F, Onega T. Spatial Behavior of Cancer Care Utilization in Distance Decay in the Northeast Region of the U.S. TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR & SOCIETY 2021; 24:291-302. [PMID: 34123728 PMCID: PMC8189327 DOI: 10.1016/j.tbs.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Spatial behavior of patients in utilizing health care reflects their travel burden or mobility, accessibility for medical service, and subsequently outcomes from treatment. This paper derives the best-fitting distance decay function to capture the spatial behaviors of cancer patients in the Northeast region of the U.S., and examines and explains the spatial variability of such behaviors across sub-regions. PRINCIPAL RESULTS (1) 46.8%, 85.5%, and 99.6% of cancer care received was within a driving time of 30, 60 and 180 minutes, respectively. (2) The exponential distance decay function is the best in capturing the travel behavior of cancer patients in the region and across most sub-regions. (3) The friction coefficient in the distance decay function is negatively correlated with the mean travel time. (4) The best-fitting function forms are associated with network structures. (5) The variation of the friction coefficient across sub-regions is related to factors such as urbanicity, economic development level, and market competition intensity. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The distance decay function offers an analytic metric to capture a full spectrum of travel behavior, and thus a more comprehensive measure than average travel time. Examining the geographic variation of travel behavior needs a reliable analysis unit such as organically defined "cancer service areas", which capture relevant health care market structure and thus are more meaningful than commonly-used geopolitical or census area units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changzhen Wang
- Department of Geography & Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Fahui Wang
- Department of Geography & Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Tracy Onega
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah; Huntsman Cancer Institute. Salt Lake City, UT 84112
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Diggs LP, Aversa JG, Wiemken TL, Martin SP, Drake JA, Ruff SM, Wach MM, Brown ZJ, Blakely AM, Davis JL, Luu C, Hernandez JM. Patient Comorbidities Drive High Mortality Rates Associated with Major Liver Resections Irrespective of Hospital Volume. Am Surg 2021; 87:1163-1170. [PMID: 33345554 PMCID: PMC9927630 DOI: 10.1177/0003134820973368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major hepatectomies are utilized to manage primary hepatic malignancies. Reports from high-volume centers (HVCs) with minimal perioperative mortality focus on multiple aspects of perioperative care, although patient-specific factors remain unelucidated. We identified patient factors associated with outcomes and examined whether these contribute to survival differences. METHODS We queried the National Cancer Database (2006-2015) for patients with primary liver malignancies managed with major hepatectomy. Facilities were dichotomized by volume (high volume: >15 hepatectomies/year). Perioperative outcomes were compared based on patient demographic and clinical characteristics as well as center volume. RESULTS 4263 patients were included with 78.5% receiving care in low-volume centers (LVCs). 90-day postoperative mortality was higher in LVCs vs. HVCs (12% vs. 7.5%; P < .001). Factors associated with undergoing surgery in LVCs included: living in areas with lower income (P = .006) and education (P < .001), having nonprivate insurance (P < .001), residing near the care center (P < .001), and having a comorbidity score (CDS) >1 (P = .014). Patients with CDS ≤ 1 had higher 90-day mortality in LVCs (11.3% vs. 6.6%; P < .001) and had similar outcomes in LVCs and HVCs (15.6% vs. 13.7% P = .6). Patients with CDS > 1 were more likely to receive care in LVCs (16.3% vs. 12.7%; P < .001). CONCLUSION Reduced perioperative mortality following major hepatectomy in HVCs is driven by optimal management of patients with low CDS. However, nearly 1 in 5 patients who undergo major hepatectomies have a high CDS and approximately 15% of them succumb in the perioperative period irrespective of the treating centers' experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence P. Diggs
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA,Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John G. Aversa
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Timothy L. Wiemken
- Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research (SLUCOR), St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sean P. Martin
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Justin A. Drake
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samantha M. Ruff
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael M. Wach
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zachary J. Brown
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA,Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Andrew M. Blakely
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeremy L. Davis
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carrie Luu
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jonathan M. Hernandez
- Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Geographic Access to Stroke Care Services in Rural Communities in Ontario, Canada. Can J Neurol Sci 2021; 47:301-308. [PMID: 31918777 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2020.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal stroke care requires access to resources such as neuroimaging, acute revascularization, rehabilitation, and stroke prevention services, which may not be available in rural areas. We aimed to determine geographic access to stroke care for residents of rural communities in the province of Ontario, Canada. METHODS We used the Ontario Road Network File database linked with the 2016 Ontario Acute Stroke Care Resource Inventory to estimate the proportion of people in rural communities, defined as those with a population size <10,000, who were within 30, 60, and 240 minutes of travel time by car from stroke care services, including brain imaging, thrombolysis treatment centers, stroke units, stroke prevention clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and endovascular treatment centers. RESULTS Of the 1,496,262 people residing in rural communities, the majority resided within 60 minutes of driving time to a center with computed tomography (85%), thrombolysis (81%), a stroke unit (68%), a stroke prevention clinic (74%), or inpatient rehabilitation (77.0%), but a much lower proportion (32%) were within 60 minutes of driving time to a center capable of providing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). CONCLUSIONS Most rural Ontario residents have appropriate geographic access to stroke services, with the exception of EVT. This information may be useful for jurisdictions seeking to optimize the regional organization of stroke care services.
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Lima MAN, Villela DAM. [Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with time to treatment for colorectal cancer in Brazil, 2006-2015]. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2021; 37:e00214919. [PMID: 34076098 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00214919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer presents high incidence worldwide, but case-fatality is higher in developing countries. The study's objective was to analyze sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with delay in the initiation of treatment for colorectal cancer in hospitals in Brazil. This is a retrospective study of data from hospital cancer registries in Brazil from 2006 to 2015. The target variable is time to initiation of treatment for colorectal cancer and possible associations between sociodemographic variables and clinical factors. The analysis revealed disparities in time to treatment according to sociodemographic strata and geographic regions. Higher odds of treatment delay were associated with age over 50 years, black race/color (OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.21-1.84) and brown race/color (OR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.17-1.42), illiteracy or low schooling (OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.19-1.90), and treatment in a city far from the patient's residence (OR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.14-1.38). For rectal cancer, higher odds of treatment delay were associated with age over 50 years, black (OR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.20-1.72) or brown race/color (OR = 1.29; 95%CI: 1.19-1.39), illiteracy or low schooling (OR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.40-2.09), and treatment in a city far from the patient's residence (OR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.25-1.47). In conclusion, greater attention should be given to reducing the time to initiation of treatment in underprivileged regions and in social strata identified with barriers to timely treatment access.
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Abelson JS, Barron J, Bauer PS, Chapman WC, Schad C, Ohman K, Glasgow S, Hunt S, Mutch M, Smith RK, Wise PE, Silviera M. Travel Time to a High Volume Center Negatively Impacts Timing of Care in Rectal Cancer. J Surg Res 2021; 266:96-103. [PMID: 33989893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regionalization of rectal cancer surgery may lead to worse disease free survival owing to longer travel time to reach a high volume center yet no study has evaluated this relationship at a single high volume center volume center. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective review of rectal cancer patients undergoing surgery from 2009 to 2019 at a single high volume center. Patients were divided into two groups based on travel time. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS). Additional outcomes included treatment within 60 d of diagnosis, completeness of preoperative staging, and evaluation by a colorectal surgeon prior to initiation of treatment. RESULTS A lower proportion of patients with long travel time began definitive treatment within 60 d of diagnosis (74.0% versus 84.0%, P= 0.01) or were seen by the treating colorectal surgeon before beginning definitive treatment (74.8% versus 85.4%, P < 0.01). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients with long travel time were significantly less likely to begin definitive treatment within 60 d of diagnosis (OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.31-0.93) or to be evaluated by a colorectal surgeon prior to initiating treatment (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.25-0.80). There were no significant differences in DFS based on travel time. CONCLUSIONS Although patients with long travel times may be vulnerable to delayed, lower quality rectal cancer care, there is no difference in DFS when definitive surgery is performed at a high volume canter. Ongoing research is needed to identify explanations for delays in treatment to ensure all patients receive the highest quality care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Abelson
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts.
| | - John Barron
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Philip S Bauer
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - William C Chapman
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Christine Schad
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Kerri Ohman
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Sean Glasgow
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Steven Hunt
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew Mutch
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Radhika K Smith
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Paul E Wise
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew Silviera
- Department of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
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Luo LY, Aviki EM, Lee A, Kollmeier MA, Abu-Rustum NR, Tsai CJ, Alektiar KM. Socioeconomic inequality and omission of adjuvant radiation therapy in high-risk, early-stage endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 161:463-469. [PMID: 33597092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gaps in access to appropriate cancer care, and associated cancer mortality, have widened across socioeconomic groups. We examined whether demographic and socioeconomic factors influenced receipt of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in patients with high-risk, early-stage endometrial cancer. METHODS A retrospective study cohort was selected from 349,404 endometrial carcinoma patients from the National Cancer Database in whom adjuvant RT would be recommended per national guidelines. The study included surgically treated patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer with one of the following criteria: 1) FIGO 2009 stage IB, grade 1/2 disease, age ≥ 60 years; 2) stage IB, grade 3 disease; or 3) stage II disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with omission of adjuvant RT. Association between adjuvant RT, covariables, and overall survival (OS) was assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS 19,594 patients were eligible for analysis; 47% did not receive adjuvant RT. Omission of adjuvant RT was more prevalent among African-American, Hispanic, and Asian compared to non-Hispanic white patients (OR 0.79, 95%CI: 0.69-0.91; OR 0.75, 95%CI: 0.64-0.87; OR 0.75, 95%CI: 0.60-0.94, respectively). Lower median household income of patient's area of residence, lack of health insurance, treatment at non-academic hospitals, farther distance to treatment facilities, and residence in metropolitan counties were associated with omission of adjuvant RT. Such omission was independently associated with worse OS (HR1.43, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Adjuvant RT is omitted in 47% of patients with early-stage, high-risk endometrial cancer, which is associated with poor access to appropriate, high-quality care and worse outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Y Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America
| | - Emeline M Aviki
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America
| | - Anna Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America
| | - Marisa A Kollmeier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America
| | - Nadeem R Abu-Rustum
- Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, New York 10065, United States of America
| | - C Jillian Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America
| | - Kaled M Alektiar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, New York 10065, United States of America.
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Shaverdian N, Gillespie EF, Cha E, Kim SY, Benvengo S, Chino F, Kang JJ, Li Y, Atkinson TM, Lee N, Washington CM, Cahlon O, Gomez DR. Impact of Telemedicine on Patient Satisfaction and Perceptions of Care Quality in Radiation Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2021; 19:1174-1180. [PMID: 33395627 DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed cancer care with the rapid expansion of telemedicine, but given the limited use of telemedicine in oncology, concerns have been raised about the quality of care being delivered. We assessed the patient experience with telemedicine in routine radiation oncology practice to determine satisfaction, quality of care, and opportunities for optimization. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients seen within a multistate comprehensive cancer center for prepandemic office visits and intrapandemic telemedicine visits in December 2019 through June 2020 who completed patient experience questionnaires were evaluated. Patient satisfaction between office and telemedicine consultations were compared, patient visit-type preferences were assessed, and factors associated with an office visit preference were determined. RESULTS In total, 1,077 patients were assessed (office visit, n=726; telemedicine, n=351). The telemedicine-consult survey response rate was 40%. No significant differences were seen in satisfaction scores between office and telemedicine consultations, including the appointment experience versus expectation, quality of physician's explanation, and level of physician concern and friendliness. Among telemedicine survey respondents, 45% and 34% preferred telemedicine and office visits, respectively, and 21% had no preference for their visit type. Most respondents found their confidence in their physician (90%), understanding of the treatment plan (88%), and confidence in their treatment (87%) to be better or no different than with an office visit. Patients with better performance status and who were married/partnered were more likely to prefer in-person office visit consultations (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00-1.08]; P=.047, and 2.41 [95% CI, 1.14-5.47]; P=.009, respectively). Patients with telephone-only encounters were more likely to report better treatment plan understanding with an office visit (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.00-4.77; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to assess telemedicine in routine radiation oncology practice, and found high patient satisfaction and confidence in their care. Optimization of telemedicine in oncology should be a priority, specifically access to audiovisual capabilities that can improve patient-oncologist communication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Soo Young Kim
- 2Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences, and
| | | | | | | | - Yuelin Li
- 2Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences, and.,3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Butala AA, Williams GR, Fontanilla HP, Dharmarajan KV, Jones JA. Making the Most of a Crisis: A Proposal for Network-Based Palliative Radiation Therapy to Reduce Travel Toxicity. Adv Radiat Oncol 2020; 5:1104-1105. [PMID: 32838072 PMCID: PMC7428704 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A multipronged model is proposed to improve the delivery of palliative radiotherapy by increasing access to care and reducing travel burden for patients.
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