Breast Cancer Care: Changing Community Standards

Racial disparities in breast cancer mortality in a multiethnic cohort in the Southeast

BACKGROUND

Although much has been done to examine those factors associated with higher mortality among African American women, there is a paucity of literature that examines disparities among rural African Americans in South Carolina. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association of race and mortality among breast cancer patients in a large cohort residing in South Carolina for which treatment regimens are standardized for all patients.

METHODS

Subjects included 1209 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2000 and 2002 at a large, local hospital containing a comprehensive breast center. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated to determine survival rates among African American and European American women, stratified by disease stage or other prognostic characteristics. Adjusting for various characteristics, Cox multivariate survival models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR).

RESULTS

The 5-year overall all-cause mortality survival proportion was ∼78% for African American women and ∼89% for European American women, P < 0.01. In analyses of subpopulations of women with identical disease characteristics, African American women had significantly higher mortality than European American women for the same type of breast cancer disease. In multivariate models, African American women had significantly higher mortality than European American women for both breast cancer-specific death (HR, 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-4.79) and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.89).

CONCLUSIONS

African American women residing in rural South Carolina had lower survival for breast cancer even after adjustment for disease-related prognostic characteristics. These findings support health interventions among African American breast cancer patients aimed at tertiary prevention strategies or further down-staging of disease at diagnosis.

Percutaneous needle biopsy for breast diagnosis: how do surgeons decide?

BACKGROUND

Despite the advent of guidelines recommending core needle biopsy (CNB) for diagnosis of breast abnormalities, it is underused in some jurisdictions. We sought to determine those factors influencing surgeons' choices of breast biopsy techniques.

METHODS

We surveyed 385 general surgeons in Ontario to first determine factors influencing the choice of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), CNB, both or neither for diagnosis of breast abnormalities in six clinical scenarios with varying risk of malignancy. Second, respondents were asked to rate 15 patient, organizational, and system factors for their impact on choice of biopsy technique. Third, surgeons were asked to describe their three greatest barriers to provision of cancer care.

RESULTS

Response rate was 44%, and 126 provided answers to the survey questions. When there was a high risk of malignancy, CNB and/or FNAB were favored over surgical biopsy (83% to 97% compared with 41% for presumed benign lesions), and CNB was preferred for percutaneous biopsy over FNAB (58% to 79% compared with 1% to 18%). Patient and clinical factors (46% FNAB, 42% CNB), patient preference for biopsy technique (34%, 31%), and delayed access to CNB, rather than lack of equipment (11% FNAB, 8% CNB) or expertise for CNB or FNAB (15%, 12%), had the greatest reported impact on choice of biopsy technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeon preference for CNB is higher than actual use. Further research is needed to establish whether or how CNB use could be improved by support for shared decision making or facilitating access.

Linked claims and medical records for cancer case management : evaluation of mammography abnormalities

BACKGROUND

Failure to obtain the requisite follow-up of patients with abnormal mammograms may delay cancer diagnosis and impact outcome. Up to 20% of women do not receive timely recommended follow-up. The current study tested the accuracy of the linkage of payer claims and clinical data to identify the appropriate treatment for patients with abnormal mammograms.

METHODS

Electronic medical records in a staff model practice that was affiliated with a single health payer were scanned to identify the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS(R)) code for all mammograms. For each woman with a BI-RADS code 0, 3, 4, or 5 mammogram, the payer claims were searched for follow-up breast procedures (imaging, biopsy, and surgery) occurring within 2 months for BI-RADS code 0, 4, and 5 mammograms and within 8 months for BI-RADS code 3 mammograms. For women with >1 abnormal mammogram during the study period, only follow-up for the first abnormal mammogram was examined. The medical records of cases defined by claims as not having recommended follow-up care were reviewed to determine the accuracy of claims analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 17,329 women underwent 23,721 mammograms between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2003. BI-RADS codes 0, 3, 4, or 5 occurred in 1,490 mammograms (6.3%). Among 1,206 women with a first abnormal mammogram who were eligible for claims follow-up, 16% did not receive recommended follow-up care. Medical record review demonstrated that the claims search accurately identified follow-up care in 97% of these cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Administrative claims supplemented with BI-RADS data were found to accurately identify the follow-up care of patients with abnormal mammograms. Case management using this method may assist physicians in ensuring that all patients receive appropriate care.

Variation in the use of percutaneous biopsy for diagnosis of breast abnormalities in Ontario

BACKGROUND

Preoperative diagnosis of breast abnormalities is currently the standard of care. A population-based study to determine the use of percutaneous needle biopsy for breast diagnosis in Ontario was performed.

METHODS

A total of 17,068 women undergoing breast tissue sampling (percutaneous needle biopsy or surgical excision) for diagnosis between April 1, 2002, and December 31, 2002, and without a previous cancer diagnosis were identified. Univariate and multivariate analyses examined the association of age, residence in a particular local health integration network (LHIN), income quintile, urban or rural residence, primary care provider, any prior mammogram, and prior regular screening mammography, as well as whether the biopsy was initiated by a screening mammogram with different methods of tissue diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 10,459 women (61%) underwent percutaneous biopsy for diagnosis. A total of 10,131 women underwent surgery, of whom 6,637 received a benign diagnosis and 3,494 had cancer, for a benign-to-malignant ratio of 1.9:1. Women with cancer were slightly more likely to undergo percutaneous biopsy than women without (64.7% vs. 60.3%). There was variation among LHINs in the use of percutaneous biopsy (range, 24%-72%). Women with the highest incomes, urban residence, a primary care provider, or history of any prior mammography were more likely to receive percutaneous biopsy. On multivariate analysis, age 50 to 69 years, LHIN, urban residence, primary care provider, and screen-initiated evaluation were associated with percutaneous biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Variation in the use of percutaneous biopsy by factors unrelated to indications for biopsy indicate that strategies to identify and overcome barriers to its use are needed.

Is risk of axillary lymph node metastasis associated with proximity of breast cancer to the skin?

INTRODUCTION

Risk of axillary lymph node metastasis, the most important predictor of disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients, is estimated primarily from histologic features of the primary cancer including tumor size, histologic type and grade, and hormone receptor expression. Based upon a clinical impression, and research showing that palpable cancers are more likely to be node positive, we hypothesized that primary breast cancers more proximal to the skin of the breast are more likely to be positive for axillary lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective medical record review of 209 women with stage T1 or T2 (</=5.0 cm) invasive breast cancer who received dedicated breast ultrasound at a single mammography clinic in Columbia, South Carolina, between 1997 and 2002.

RESULTS

None of the 26 cancers more than 14 mm from the skin had metastasized to axillary lymph nodes. In logistic regression modeling only tumor size, histologic grade and tumor proximity to the skin (as a categorical variable) were significantly associated with odds of axillary metastasis. Among cancers within 14 mm of the skin, proximity was not an independent predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

Stage T1 and T2 breast cancers located less proximally to the skin may be less likely to spread to the axillary lymph nodes. We observed what appears to be a threshold at approximately 14 mm from the skin (based upon this group of patients): none of 26 cancers below this level had spread to axillary nodes. Further research is needed to confirm these provocative findings.

Subject Recruitment for Cancer Control Studies in an Adverse Environment

Subject recruitment in an adverse environment prompted researchers to identify a novel method to gain a different perspective on the problem. Lewin's Model of Change was used in a post hoc examination of recruitment strategies from 5 cancer control studies of breast or prostate cancer. Based on this evaluation, driving and restraining forces in recruitment were identified. Lessons learned and recommendations are discussed based on this evaluation. Five categories of restrainers were identified from this evaluation and include sociocultural, institutional, individuals, budget, and study design. Conversely, only 3 categories of drivers were elucidated by the examination: sociocultural, institutional, and individuals. Lessons and recommendations ranged from addressing institutional barriers to capitalizing on public relations. Researchers entering a new environment for recruitment would benefit from using Lewin's force field analysis before writing a proposal or implementing a project. This approach better directs energy and resources and enhances the ability of the investigator to maintain a broad, less biased perspective.

Impact of computer-aided detection in a regional screening mammography program

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to prospectively assess the effect of computer-aided detection (CAD) on screening outcomes in a regional mammography program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2000, 27,274 consecutive screenings were performed. Radiologists' performance before CAD (n = 7,872) and with CAD (n = 19,402) was determined by annual audits. All positive biopsy results were reviewed; histopathology was reviewed and confirmed. Outcomes (recall, biopsy, and cancer detection rates) with CAD (1999, 2000) were compared with historical control data (1998).

RESULTS

With CAD, increases were seen in recall rate (8.1%, from 7.7% to 8.3%), biopsy rate (6.7%, from 1.4% to 1.5%), and cancer detection rate (16.1%, from 3.7 per 1,000 to 4.3 per 1,000). Detection rate of invasive cancers of 1.0 cm or less increased 164% (from 0.508 to 1.34 per 1,000 screens; p = 0.069). Detection rate of in situ cancers declined 6.7% (from 1.27 to 1.19 per 1,000; p = 0.849). In multivariable analysis of invasive cancers, early stage (stage I) was strongly associated with detection by CAD (odds ratio = 4.13, p = 0.025). Mean age at screening detection of cancer was 5.3 years younger in the CAD group than in the pre-CAD group (p = 0.060).

CONCLUSION

Increased detection rate, younger age at diagnosis, and significantly earlier stage of invasive cancer detection are consistent with a positive screening impact of CAD. Audit results were positive but generally not statistically significant due to sample size limitations. Our findings support the hypothesis that screening with CAD significantly improves detection of the specific cancer morphologies that CAD algorithms were designed to detect.