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Roth M, Andersen CR, Berkman A, Siegel S, Cuglievan B, Livingston JA, Hildebrandt M, Estrada J, Bleyer A. Improved survival and decreased cancer deaths in young adults with cancer after passage of the Affordable Care Act Dependent Coverage Expansion. Cancer 2024. [PMID: 39370757 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35538] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed Americans aged 19-25 years to remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26 years (the Dependent Care Expansion [DCE]). Have those with cancer diagnoses benefited? METHODS The ACE DCE 7-year age range of 19-25 years was compared for changes in cancer survival and mortality before and after enactment of the ACA with groups that were younger and older (in 7-year age spans: ages 12-18 and 26-32 years, respectively). Cancer death data for the entire United States were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and relative survival data of patients who were diagnosed with cancer were obtained from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results regions representing 42%-44% of the country. RESULTS Joinpoint analysis identified the DCE-eligible cohort as the only age group of the three groups evaluated that have had improvements in both cancer survival and death rate trends after ACA implementation and that 2010, the year the ACA was passed, was the inflection year for both survival and deaths. By 6 years, the relative survival after cancer diagnosis was 2.6 and 3.9 times greater in the DCE-eligible age group than in the younger and older control groups, respectively (both p < .001), and the cancer death rate in the DCE-eligible age group improved 2.1 and 1.5 times greater than in the younger and older control age groups, respectively (both p < .01). CONCLUSIONS During the first decade of the ACA, eligible young adults with cancer have had significantly improved survival and mortality. Additional policies expanding insurance coverage and enabling earlier cancer diagnosis among young adults are needed. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Dependent Care Expansion (DCE) that began in the United States in 2011 allowed young adults aged 19-25 years to remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26 years. The survival rate at 6 years in young adult patients diagnosed with cancer was 2.6 to 3.9 times greater in the DCE-eligible age group compared with the younger and older age groups, and the rate of deaths from cancer improved 1.5 to 2.1 times more. During the first decade of the ACA, young adults with cancer who were in the eligible group had significantly longer survival and reduced deaths from cancer. Additional policies that expand insurance coverage and allow the diagnosis of cancer sooner are needed in young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Roth
- Division of Pediatrics and Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Clark R Andersen
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Amy Berkman
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stuart Siegel
- Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition, Brentwood, Tennessee, USA
| | - Branko Cuglievan
- Division of Pediatrics and Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - J Andrew Livingston
- Division of Pediatrics and Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michelle Hildebrandt
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jaime Estrada
- Texas Doctors for Social Responsibility, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Archie Bleyer
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
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Ji X, Shi KS, Mertens AC, Zhao J, Yabroff KR, Castellino SM, Han X. Survival in Young Adults With Cancer Is Associated With Medicaid Expansion Through the Affordable Care Act. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:1909-1920. [PMID: 36525612 PMCID: PMC10082236 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.01742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been shown to improve insurance coverage and early diagnosis of cancer in young adults (YAs); whether these improvements translate to survival benefits remains unknown. We examined the association between Medicaid expansion under the ACA and 2-year overall survival among YAs with cancer. METHODS Using the National Cancer Database, we identified 345,413 YAs (age 18-39 years) diagnosed with cancer in 2010-2017. We applied the difference-in-differences (DD) method to estimate changes in 2-year overall survival after versus before Medicaid expansion in expansion versus nonexpansion states. RESULTS Among all YAs, 2-year overall survival increased more in expansion states (90.39% pre-expansion to 91.85% postexpansion) than in nonexpansion states (88.98% pre-expansion to 90.07% postexpansion), resulting in a net increase of 0.55 percentage points (ppt; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.96). The expansion-associated survival benefit was concentrated in patients with female breast cancer (DD, 1.20 ppt; 95%CI, 0.27 to 2.12) when stratifying by cancer type and in patients with stage IV disease (DD, 2.56; 95%CI, 0.36 to 4.77) when stratifying by stage. In addition, greater survival benefit associated with Medicaid expansion was observed among racial and ethnic minoritized groups (DD, 1.01 ppt; 95% CI, 0.14 to 1.87) as compared with non-Hispanic White peers (DD, 0.41 ppt; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.87) and among patients with a Charlson comorbidity score of ≥ 2 (DD, 6.48 ppt; 95% CI, 0.81 to 12.16) than those with a comorbidity score of 0 (DD, 0.44 ppt; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.87). CONCLUSION Medicaid expansion under the ACA was associated with an improvement in overall survival among YAs with cancer, with survival benefits most pronounced among patients of under-represented race and ethnicity and patients with high-risk diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ji
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Kewei Sylvia Shi
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ann C. Mertens
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - K. Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sharon M. Castellino
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
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Parsons SK, Keegan THM, Kirchhoff AC, Parsons HM, Yabroff KR, Davies SJ. Cost of Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: Results of the 2021 Report by Deloitte Access Economics, Commissioned by Teen Cancer America. J Clin Oncol 2023:JCO2201985. [PMID: 36827624 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.01985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this report, commissioned by Teen Cancer America and performed by Deloitte Access Economics in 2021, was to estimate the total costs incurred by adolescent and young adults (AYAs) after cancer diagnosis in the United States (US) over their life course. METHODS The incidence of cancer in 2019 among AYAs age 15-39 years was estimated from the US Cancer Statistics Public Use Database, and relative survival was projected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cost domains included health system, productivity, and well-being costs. Components were estimated with published literature and pooled data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2008 to 2012 and inflated to 2019 dollars. RESULTS The economic and human costs of cancer in AYAs are substantial-$23.5 billion overall, corresponding to $259,324 per person over the lifetime. The majority of costs are borne by AYA cancer survivors themselves in the form of lost productivity, loss of well-being, and loss of life. CONCLUSION These findings underscore the need to address the burden of cancer in AYAs through targeted programs for AYAs, such as financial navigation and health insurance literacy interventions, as well as local and national policy initiatives to address access to and enhanced coverage for clinical trials participation, fertility services, and survivorship care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan K Parsons
- Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Clinical Care Research, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.,Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Theresa H M Keegan
- Center for Oncology Hematology Outcomes Research and Training and Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Anne C Kirchhoff
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Helen M Parsons
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Scientific Vice President, Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Inc
| | - Simon J Davies
- Executive Director, Teen Cancer America, Los Angeles, CA
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Zhao J, Han X, Nogueira L, Fedewa SA, Jemal A, Halpern MT, Yabroff KR. Health insurance status and cancer stage at diagnosis and survival in the United States. CA Cancer J Clin 2022; 72:542-560. [PMID: 35829644 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies using data from the early 2000s demonstrated that patients who were uninsured were more likely to present with late-stage disease and had worse short-term survival after cancer diagnosis in the United States. In this report, the authors provide comprehensive data on the associations of health insurance coverage type with stage at diagnosis and long-term survival in individuals aged 18-64 years who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2013 with 19 common cancers from the National Cancer Database, with survival follow-up through December 31, 2019. Compared with privately insured patients, Medicaid-insured and uninsured patients were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage (III/IV) cancer for all stageable cancers combined and separately. For all stageable cancers combined and for six cancer sites-prostate, colorectal, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, oral cavity, liver, and esophagus-uninsured patients with Stage I disease had worse survival than privately insured patients with Stage II disease. Patients without private insurance coverage had worse short-term and long-term survival at each stage for all cancers combined; patients who were uninsured had worse stage-specific survival for 12 of 17 stageable cancers and had worse survival for leukemia and brain tumors. Expanding access to comprehensive health insurance coverage is crucial for improving access to cancer care and outcomes, including stage at diagnosis and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Leticia Nogueira
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stacey A Fedewa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael T Halpern
- National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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Nogueira LM, Sineshaw HM, Jemal A, Pollack CE, Efstathiou JA, Yabroff KR. Association of Race With Receipt of Proton Beam Therapy for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Cancer in the US, 2004-2018. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e228970. [PMID: 35471569 PMCID: PMC9044116 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.8970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Black patients are less likely than White patients to receive guideline-concordant cancer care in the US. Proton beam therapy (PBT) is a potentially superior technology to photon radiotherapy for tumors with complex anatomy, tumors surrounded by sensitive tissues, and childhood cancers. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether there are racial disparities in the receipt of PBT among Black and White individuals diagnosed with all PBT-eligible cancers in the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study evaluated Black and White individuals diagnosed with PBT-eligible cancers between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018, in the National Cancer Database, a nationwide hospital-based cancer registry that collects data on radiation treatment, even when it is received outside the reporting facility. American Society of Radiation Oncology model policies were used to classify patients into those for whom PBT is the recommended radiation therapy modality (group 1) and those for whom evidence of PBT efficacy is still under investigation (group 2). Propensity score matching was used to ensure comparability of Black and White patients' clinical characteristics and regional availability of PBT according to the National Academy of Medicine's definition of disparities. Data analysis was performed from October 4, 2021, to February 22, 2022. EXPOSURE Patients' self-identified race was ascertained from medical records. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was receipt of PBT, with disparities in this therapy's use evaluated with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 5 225 929 patients who were eligible to receive PBT and included in the study, 13.6% were Black, 86.4% were White, and 54.3% were female. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 63.2 (12.4) years. Black patients were less likely to be treated with PBT than their White counterparts (0.3% vs 0.5%; odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.64-0.71). Racial disparities were greater for group 1 cancers (0.4% vs 0.8%; OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.44-0.55) than group 2 cancers (0.3% vs 0.4%; OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.70-0.80). Racial disparities in PBT receipt among group 1 cancers increased over time (annual percent change = 0.09, P < .001) and were greatest in 2018, the most recent year of available data. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional study, Black patients were less likely to receive PBT than their White counterparts, and disparities were greatest for cancers for which PBT was the recommended radiation therapy modality. These findings suggest that efforts other than increasing the number of facilities that provide PBT will be needed to eliminate disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia M. Nogueira
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Helmneh M. Sineshaw
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Craig E. Pollack
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - K. Robin Yabroff
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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Roth M, Berkman A, Andersen CR, Cuglievan B, Andrew Livingston J, Hildebrandt M, Bleyer A. Improved Survival of Young Adults with Cancer Following the Passage of the Affordable Care Act. Oncologist 2022; 27:135-143. [PMID: 35641206 PMCID: PMC8895735 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyab049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compared with their ensured counterparts, uninsured adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are more likely to present with advanced disease and have poor prognoses. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, provided health care coverage to millions of uninsured young adults by allowing them to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26 years (the Dependent Care Expansion, DCE). The impact of the expansion of insurance coverage on survival outcomes for young adults with cancer has not been assessed. Participants Utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we identified all patients aged 12-16 (younger-AYAs), 19-23 (middle-AYAs), and 26-30 (older-AYAs) who were diagnosed with cancer between 2006-2008 (pre-ACA) and 2011-2013 (post-ACA). Methods In this population-based cohort study, we used an accelerated failure time model to assess changes in survival rates before and after the enactment of the ACA DCE. Results Middle-AYAs ages 19-23 (thus eligible to remain on their parents’ insurance) experienced significantly increased 2-year survival after the enactment of the ACA DCE (survival time ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 0.75-2.43, P = .029) and that did not occur in younger-AYAs (ages 12-16). Patients with sarcoma and acute myeloid leukemia accounted for the majority of improvement in survival. Middle-AYAs of hispanic ethnicity and those with low socioeconomic status experienced trends of improved survival after the ACA DCE was enacted. Conclusion Survival outcomes improved for young adults with cancer following the expansion of health insurance coverage. Efforts are needed to expand coverage for the millions of young adults who do not have health insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Roth
- Division of Pediatrics and Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amy Berkman
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Clark R Andersen
- Division of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Branko Cuglievan
- Division of Pediatrics and Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Andrew Livingston
- Division of Pediatrics and Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michelle Hildebrandt
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Archie Bleyer
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, TX, USA
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Eng C, Jácome AA, Agarwal R, Hayat MH, Byndloss MX, Holowatyj AN, Bailey C, Lieu CH. A comprehensive framework for early-onset colorectal cancer research. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:e116-e128. [PMID: 35090673 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00588-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sporadic colorectal cancer has traditionally been viewed as a malignancy of older individuals. However, as the global prevalence of the disease diagnosed in younger individuals (<50 years) is expected to increase within the next decade, greater recognition is now being given to early-onset colorectal cancer. The cause of the predicted rise in prevalence is largely unknown and probably multifactorial. In this Series paper, we discuss the potential underlying causes of early-onset colorectal cancer, the role of energy balance, biological and genomic mechanisms (including microbiome aspects), and the treatment of early-onset colorectal cancer. We have specifically considered the psychosocial challenges of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger age and the potential financial toxicity that might ensue. This Series paper brings a comprehensive review based on the existing data in the hopes of optimising the overall outcomes for patients with early-onset colorectal cancer.
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Do D, Peele M. The Affordable Care Act's young adult mandate was associated with a reduction in pain prevalence. Pain 2021; 162:2693-2704. [PMID: 34652321 PMCID: PMC8832999 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pain is a major health problem among U.S. young adults. The passage of the Affordable Care Act's young adult mandate in 2010 allowed individuals to remain on their parents' health insurance until age 26. Although studies have documented the positive effects of this mandate on various health outcomes, less is known about its association with self-reported pain among young adults. Using the 2002 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey (N = 48,053) and a difference-in-differences approach, we compared the probabilities of reporting pain at 5 sites (low back, joint, neck, headache/migraine, and facial/jaw) and the number of pain sites between mandate eligible (ages 20-25) and ineligible (ages 26-30) adults before and after the mandate. In fully adjusted models, the mandate was associated with a decline of 2 percentage points in the probability of reporting pain at any site (marginal effect, -0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.05 to -0.002; weighted sample proportion, 0.37) and in the number of pain sites (coefficient, -0.07; 95% CI, -0.11 to -0.01; weighted sample average, 0.62). These results were primarily driven by the association between the mandate and the probability of reporting low back pain (marginal effect, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.05 to -0.01; weighted sample proportion, 0.20). Additional analyses revealed that the mandate was associated with improvements in access to care and reductions in risk factors for pain-including chronic conditions and risky health behaviors. To the extent that the results are generalizable to other health insurance programs, removing financial barriers to medical care may help reduce pain prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duy Do
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto CA, United States
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Morgan Peele
- Population Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Salem ME, Puccini A, Trufan SJ, Sha W, Kadakia KC, Hartley ML, Musselwhite LW, Symanowski JT, Hwang JJ, Raghavan D. Impact of Sociodemographic Disparities and Insurance Status on Survival of Patients with Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer. Oncologist 2021; 26:e1730-e1741. [PMID: 34288237 PMCID: PMC8488791 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to worse survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the impact of SES on early‐onset CRC remains undescribed. Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004 and 2016 was conducted. We combined income and education to form a composite measure of SES. Logistic regression and χ2 testing were used to examine early‐onset CRC according to SES group. Survival rates and Cox proportional hazards models compared stage‐specific overall survival (OS) between the SES groups. Results In total, 30,903 patients with early‐onset CRC were identified, of whom 78.7% were White; 14.5% were Black. Low SES compared with high SES patients were more likely to be Black (26.3% vs. 6.1%) or Hispanic (25.3% vs. 10.5%), have T4 tumors (21.3% vs. 17.8%) and/or N2 disease (13% vs. 11.1%), and present with stage IV disease (32.8% vs. 27.7%) at diagnosis (p < .0001, all comparisons). OS gradually improved with increasing SES at all disease stages (p < .001). In stage IV, the 5‐year survival rate was 13.9% vs. 21.7% for patients with low compared with high SES. In multivariable analysis, SES (low vs. high group; adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.46) was found to have a significant effect on survival (p < .0001) when all of the confounding variables were adjusted. Insurance (not private vs. private; HRadj, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.31–1.44) mediates 31% of the SES effect on survival. Conclusion Patients with early‐onset CRC with low SES had the worst outcomes. Our data suggest that SES should be considered when implementing programs to improve the early detection and treatment of patients with early‐onset CRC. Implications for Practice Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to worse survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the impact of SES on early‐onset CRC remains undescribed. In this retrospective study of 30,903 patients with early‐onset CRC in the National Cancer Database, a steady increase in the yearly rate of stage IV diagnosis at presentation was observed. The risk of death increased as socioeconomic status decreased. Race and insurance status were independent predictors for survival. Implementation of programs to improve access to care and early diagnostic strategies among younger adults, especially those with low SES, is warranted. The incidence of and mortality from early‐onset colorectal cancer (CRC) is on the rise. This article details the relationship between socioeconomic status and clinical outcomes of young adults with early‐onset CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed E Salem
- Departments of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alberto Puccini
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sally J Trufan
- Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wei Sha
- Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kunal C Kadakia
- Departments of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marion L Hartley
- The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Laura W Musselwhite
- Departments of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - James T Symanowski
- Cancer Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jimmy J Hwang
- Departments of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Derek Raghavan
- Departments of Solid Tumor Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Siegel
- Surveillance & Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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11
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Zhao J, Mao Z, Fedewa SA, Nogueira L, Yabroff KR, Jemal A, Han X. The Affordable Care Act and access to care across the cancer control continuum: A review at 10 years. CA Cancer J Clin 2020; 70:165-181. [PMID: 32202312 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Lack of health insurance coverage is strongly associated with poor cancer outcomes in the United States. The uninsured are less likely to have access to timely and effective cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care than their counterparts with health insurance coverage. On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, representing the largest change to health care delivery in the United States since the introduction of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965. The primary goals of the ACA are to improve health insurance coverage, the quality of care, and patient outcomes, and to maintain or lower costs by catalyzing changes in the health care delivery system. In this review, we describe the main components of the ACA, including health insurance expansions, coverage reforms, and delivery system reforms, provisions within these components, and their relevance to cancer screening and early detection, care, and outcomes. We then highlight selected, well-designed studies examining the effects of the ACA provisions on coverage, access to cancer care, and disparities throughout the cancer control continuum. Finally, we identify research gaps to inform evaluation of current and emerging health policies related to cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ziling Mao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stacey A Fedewa
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Leticia Nogueira
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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