Social vulnerability and breast cancer: differentials in the interval between diagnosis and treatment of women with different sociodemographic profiles

Factors influencing the time to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among women in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

PURPOSE

Shorter time from symptoms recognition to diagnosis and timely treatment would be expected to improve the survival of patients with breast cancer (BC). This review identifies and summarizes evidence on time to diagnosis and treatment, and associated factors to inform an improved BC care pathways in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases including Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Global Health, covering publications between January 1, 2010, and November 6, 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies published in English from LMICs that reported on time from symptoms recognition to diagnosis and/or from diagnosis to treatment, as well as factors influencing these timelines. Study quality was assessed independently by two reviewers using a standard checklist. Pre-contact, post-contact and treatment intervals and delays in these intervals are presented. Barriers and facilitators for shorter time to diagnosis and treatment found by individual studies after adjusting with covariates are summarized.

RESULTS

The review identified 21 studies across 14 countries and found that BC cases took a longer time to diagnosis than to treatment. However, time to treatment also exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended period for optimal survival. There was inconsistency in terminology and benchmarks for defining delays in time intervals. Low socioeconomic status and place of residence emerged as frequent barriers, while initial contact with a private health facility or specialist was commonly reported as a facilitator for shorter time to diagnosis and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidelines or consensus recommendations are essential for defining the optimal time intervals to BC diagnosis and treatment. Our review supported WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative recommendations. Increasing public awareness, strengthening of healthcare professional's capacities, partial decentralization of diagnostic services and implementation of effective referral mechanisms are recommended to achieve a shorter time to diagnosis and treatment of BC in LMICs.

Racial disparities in breast cancer survival after treatment initiation in Brazil: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a public health priority in Brazil and ensuring equity in health care is one of the cancer control plan goals. Our aim was to present the first assessment on the influence of race or skin colour on breast cancer survival at the national level.

METHODS

In this nationwide cohort study, data on women who initiated treatment for breast cancer in the public health-care system (Sistema Unico de Saúde), Brazil, were assembled through record linkage of administrative and mortality information systems. The administrative information systems were the Outpatient Information System (data from high complexity procedure authorisations) and the Hospital Information System (data from hospitalisation authorisations). We included women aged 19 years or older who started treatment between Jan 1, 2008, and Nov 30, 2010; self-identified as having White, Black, or Brown race or skin colour; had tumour stage I-IV; and were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both. Patients were followed up until Dec 31, 2015. Patients with only hormone therapy records or who underwent only surgery were excluded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate crude overall survival for race or skin colour by time since treatment initiation, and Cox regression to estimate all-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) before and after adjustment for other covariates.

FINDINGS

We identified 59 811 women treated for stage I-IV breast cancer. 37 318 (62·4%) women identified themselves as White, 18 779 (31·4%) as Brown, and 3714 (6·2%) as Black. 5-year overall survival probability was higher for White women (74% [95% CI 73-74]) than Black women (64% [62-65]; p<0·0001). In adjusted regression models stratified by the absence of hormone therapy, Black women had a 24% (HR 1·24 [95% CI 1·16-1·34]; p<0·0001) higher risk of all-cause death than White women, and in the presence of hormone therapy Black women had a 25% (1·25 [1·14-1·38]; p<0·0001) higher risk of all-cause death than White women.

INTERPRETATION

Black skin colour was identified as a statistically significant risk marker for lower 5-year survival probability and higher risk of all-cause death among women treated for breast cancer by the Sistema Unico de Saúde. Actions to understand and mitigate this unfair difference in health results are urgently needed.

FUNDING

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior and Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Racial Inequalities in the Health Establishment Access to the Treatment of COVID-19 in Brazil in 2020

The Brazilian health system simultaneously allows for the existence of the public and private sectors, which often imposes financial barriers to access to services and affects the health of exposed groups. Studies have shown evidence of higher lethality risks among Black/Biracial and Indigenous People admitted to hospitals due to COVID-19 during the pandemic when compared to White People. This paper evaluated the association between access to treatment for COVID-19, race, and COVID-19-related deaths among the five macro-regions of Brazil in 2020. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional observational, and population-wide study. Logistical models were used including first-order interactions between race and the health establishment administration sector using deaths as outcome, adjusted for covariates. The lethality risk, defined as the percentage of deaths among hospitalized patients, of Black/Biracial and Indigenous People was up to 78% (in the Midwest) and 29% (in the South) higher when compared to White People, respectively. The association of the race/access interaction with COVID-19-related deaths suggested the possibility of institutional racism in health establishments. The results highlight the need to guarantee adequate funding to the public health sector to improve equity in access to healthcare and the constant development of educational activities and increased participation of racialized minorities in the healthcare workforce at influential positions for health workers on topics such as racism.

The intersection of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status: inequalities in breast and cervical cancer mortality in 20,665,005 adult women from the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort

OBJECTIVES

There is limited evidence regarding the impact of race/racism and its intersection with socioeconomic status (SES) on breast and cervical cancer, the two most common female cancers globally. We investigated racial inequalities in breast and cervical cancer mortality and whether SES (education and household conditions) interacted with race/ethnicity.

DESIGN

The 100 Million Brazilian Cohort data were linked to the Brazilian Mortality Database, 2004-2015 (n = 20,665,005 adult women). We analysed the association between self-reported race/ethnicity (White/'Parda'(Brown)/Black/Asian/Indigenous) and cancer mortality using Poisson regression, adjusting for age, calendar year, education, household conditions and area of residence. Additive and multiplicative interactions were assessed.

RESULTS

Cervical cancer mortality rates were higher among Indigenous (adjusted Mortality rate ratio = 1.80, 95%CI 1.39-2.33), Asian (1.63, 1.20-2.22), 'Parda'(Brown) (1.27, 1.21-1.33) and Black (1.18, 1.09-1.28) women vs White women. Breast cancer mortality rates were higher among Black (1.10, 1.04-1.17) vs White women. Racial inequalities in cervical cancer mortality were larger among women of poor household conditions, and low education (P for multiplicative interaction <0.001, and 0.02, respectively). Compared to White women living in completely adequate (3-4) household conditions, the risk of cervical cancer mortality in Black women with 3-4, 1-2, and none adequate conditions was 1.10 (1.01-1.21), 1.48 (1.28-1.71), and 2.03 (1.56-2.63), respectively (Relative excess risk due to interaction-RERI = 0.78, 0.18-1.38). Among 'Parda'(Brown) women the risk was 1.18 (1.11-1.25), 1.68 (1.56-1.81), and 1.84 (1.63-2.08), respectively (RERI = 0.52, 0.16-0.87). Compared to high-educated White women, the risk in high-, middle- and low-educated Black women was 1.14 (0.83-1.55), 1.93 (1.57-2.38) and 2.75 (2.33-3.25), respectively (RERI = 0.36, -0.05-0.77). Among 'Parda'(Brown) women the risk was 1.09 (0.91-1.31), 1.99 (1.70-2.33) and 3.03 (2.61-3.52), respectively (RERI = 0.68, 0.48-0.88). No interactions were found for breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Low SES magnified racial inequalities in cervical cancer mortality. The intersection between race/ethnicity, SES and gender needs to be addressed to reduce racial health inequalities.

Factors Associated with the Nutritional Status of Women with Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer in a Brazilian High Complexity Oncology Center

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer poses a significant public health concern owing to its high prevalence and the risk of mortality associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of women with non-metastatic breast cancer and to identify factors associated with it.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a High Complexity Oncology Assistance Center in the southeast region of Brazil, with the aim of assessing the nutritional status in women undergoing treatment for stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Patients in palliative care or undergoing reconstructive surgery were excluded. Data collection took place between June 2022 and March 2023 and included questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and anthropometric assessments. Nutritional status was assessed using measures such as BMI and skinfold thickness, while nutritional risk was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) tool.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between nutritional risk and educational level (p = 0.03) and BMI (p = 0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between educational level and nutritional risk, indicating that lower educational level was associated with higher odds of nutritional risk (OR = 4.59; 95% CI = 1.01-21.04; p = 0.049). In addition, regarding BMI, it was observed that a BMI above 20.5 kg/m2 was associated with a higher likelihood of nutritional risk (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01-0.89; p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

It is crucial to consider the nutritional status of breast cancer patients, alongside clinical factors, to offer comprehensive and personalized care. Gaining insight into the sociodemographic variables linked to nutritional risk can significantly contribute to our understanding of breast cancer. This knowledge, in turn, can aid in identifying effective strategies for public policy, health promotion, and prevention efforts aimed at tackling this condition.

Impacts of Sociodemographic Factors, Screening, and Organization of Health Services on Breast Cancer Mortality in Brazil: An Ecological Study of 20 Years

Background

Breast cancer mortality is increasing in Brazil. This study examines the impact of sociodemographic factors, screening procedures, and primary healthcare (PHC) on breast cancer mortality.

Methods

An ecological study analyzed secondary data of women diagnosed with breast cancer who died between 2000 and 2019. Sociodemographic factors, screening procedures, and PHC were examined in relation to breast cancer mortality. Statistical analyses included normality tests, Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA tests with post hoc comparisons, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests, age-period-cohort analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression analysis. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Mortality rates were higher in the southeast (15.77) and south (15.97) regions compared to the north (5.07) (p < 0.0001). Survival rates were longer in the southeast (70.3 ± 0.05) and south (70.6 ± 0.09) than in the north (63.98 ± 0.053) (p ≤ 0.001). Mortality increased with age after 32 years (p ≤ 0.001). Brown and indigenous women had lower mortality and survival rates. Increased coverage of PHC, ultrasound, and biopsy did not reduce mortality. However, improved cytopathologic analysis led to a decrease in mortality.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic factors, screening procedures, and PHC are specific predictors of breast cancer mortality in Brazil.

Association of social vulnerability on survival, treatment, and presentation in oral cavity cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study utilized a population database to investigate how social environments are associated with outcomes including stage at diagnosis, multimodal treatment, and disease-specific survival for oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of adults with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma between 2007 and 2016 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) registry was performed. The CDC's social vulnerability index (SVI) was used to characterize social vulnerability at the county level. Predictors of disease-specific survival, stage at diagnosis, and use of multimodal therapy were identified using Cox regression and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 17 043 patients. On adjusted models, patients in the highest SVI quartile (most social vulnerability) exhibited worse disease-specific survival compared to the lowest quartile (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.37, p < 0.001), and were more likely to be diagnosed at later stages (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.38, p < 0.001) and less likely to receive multimodal therapy (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.99, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

High social vulnerability was associated with worse disease-specific survival and disease presentation in oral cavity cancer patients.

Breast cancer survival and the health system in Brazil: an analysis of public and private healthcare

Background

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing globally; however, survival outcomes vary and are lower in developing countries.

Methods

We analyzed the 5- and 10-year survival rates for breast cancer according to the type of healthcare insurance (public vs. private) in a referral center for cancer care in the Brazilian southeast region. This hospital-based cohort study included 517 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2003 and 2005. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the probability of survival, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess prognostic factors.

Results

The 5- and 10-year breast cancer survival rates were as follows: private healthcare service survival rate of 80.6% (95% CI 75.0-85.0) and 71.5% (95% CI 65.4-77.1), respectively, and public healthcare service survival rate of 68.5% (95% CI 62.5-73.8) and 58.5% (95% CI 52.1-64.4), respectively. The main factors associated with the worst prognosis were lymph node involvement in both healthcare services and tumor size >2 cm only in public health services. The use of hormone therapy (private) and radiotherapy (public) was associated with the best survival rates.

Conclusions

The survival discrepancies found between health services can be explained mainly by the difference in the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, indicating inequalities in access to the early detection of breast cancer.

First use of antineoplastic agents in women with breast cancer in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Context: Breast cancer is the most common cancer, except for non-melanoma skin cancer, among women in Brazil and worldwide. Breast cancer treatment involves surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is used in 70% of patients. This study analyzes the utilization of antineoplastic agents among women undergoing their first round of chemotherapy in Brazil's public health system (SUS) in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: Data from the SUS Outpatient Information System's authorizations for high-complexity outpatient procedures (APACs) billed between January 2013 and December 2019 were extracted, and three datasets were created: all type 1 and type 2 APACs (including all chemotherapy procedures performed); all type 1 APACs; and first type 1 APACs (containing data only for the first round of breast cancer chemotherapy). Names of antineoplastic agents were standardized to enable the subsequent classification of therapy regimens, mitigating limitations related to data quality. Absolute and relative frequencies were used to describe sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, therapy regimen and supportive drugs. Results: We analyzed 23,232 records of women undergoing their first round of chemotherapy. There was a progressive increase in the number of procedures over time. Women were predominantly white, lived in the capital and close to the treatment center. Most had stage 3 cancer at diagnosis (50.51%) and a significant proportion had regional lymph node invasion (37.9%). The most commonly used chemotherapy regimens were TAC (docetaxel, doxorubicine, cyclophosphamide) (21.05%) and and cyclophosphamide (17.71%), followed by tamoxifen (15.65%) and anastrozole (12.94%). Supportive drugs were prescribed to 386 women and zoledronic acid was predominant (59.58%). Conclusion: The findings point to important bottlenecks and possible inequities in access to treatment and medicine utilization for breast cancer patients in Brazil. Efforts to improve breast cancer treatment and prevention should not only focus on interventions at the individual level but address the disease as a public health problem. The study focused on women undergoing their first round of treatment, providing valuable insight into patient and treatment characteristics to inform policy decisions.

Perfis Social e Previdenciário: Influência na Qualidade de Vida dos Pacientes submetidos à Radioterapia

Introdução: O câncer está sendo diagnosticado cada vez com mais frequência em todo o mundo, e os avanços no tratamento radioterápico estão estendendo o tempo de sobrevivência para os pacientes acometidos, contudo, pouca atenção é dada à qualidade de vida e ao gerenciamento das emoções desencadeadas por sua condição social. Objetivo: Analisar os perfis social e previdenciário dos pacientes em tratamento radioterápico no Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto e correlacioná-los à sua qualidade de vida. Método: Estudo exploratório, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 60 pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer em tratamento radioterápico. Foram utilizados dois questionários avaliativos, o de perfil socioeconômico e previdenciário da Graciano & Lehfeld e o genérico de qualidade de vida Whoqol-bref. Resultados: Durante o tratamento, houve um efeito negativo significativo na qualidade de vida, nos domínios físico e psicológico, impactando as correlações positivas entre escolaridade versus qualidade de vida, e aposentadoria versus qualidade de vida, revelando que as questões sociais e previdenciárias tem consideráveis influencias nessas especificações. Conclusão: A importância do comportamento comunicativo da equipe multidisciplinar, realizado por meio de acolhimento, escuta qualificada e humanizada, e um atendimento abrangente avaliando a qualidade de vida podem minimizar os fatores que afetam o cotidiano e encorajá-los à adesão correta do tratamento.

Determinants of Lack of Access to Treatment for Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Brazil

Access to timely treatment is essential for the probability of the cure and reduction of severe breast cancer cases. In Brazil, legislation states that cancer treatment must start within 60 days of diagnosis. This study analyzed the factors associated with lack of access to breast cancer treatment in women with a confirmed diagnosis inserted in the health system. We collected secondary data from Brazilian women with a diagnosis and without treatment from January to December 2019 through the Cancer Hospital Registers developed by the National Cancer Institute. Our findings indicate that most women (60.11%) are diagnosed with stage II cancer but are without treatment. Most of them are aged 18–70 years, non-white race/color, have a low educational level and are from the Southeast Brazilian region. In addition, social inequalities are determinant in women’s lack of access to breast cancer treatment.

Time to diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer in public and private health services

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the time to diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer and the associated factors, according to the type of care (public vs. private).

METHODOLOGY

Retrospective cohort study with 477 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2014 and 2016. Data were collected in an oncology service in a municipality in Minas Gerais, in the 2018-2019 period. Analyzes were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox's proportional regression model.

RESULTS

The median time to diagnosis was 70 days, being shorter for women who discovered the disease through screening tests and who were diagnosed in early stages of the disease. The median time for treatment was 32 days, which was shorter for women assisted by private health service, with a high level of education and who were diagnosed in early stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Private care and facilitators of access to breast cancer care were associated with shorter waiting times.

Atenção ao câncer de mama a partir da suspeita na atenção primária à saúde nos municípios de São Paulo e Campinas, Brasil

Resumo Buscou-se identificar fatores que interferem na suspeita do câncer de mama (CM) pela atenção primária à saúde (APS) que impulsionam o encaminhamento para a atenção especializada (AE) nos municípios de São Paulo e Campinas. Foram entrevistadas 664 mulheres (353 paulistanas e 311 campineiras) diagnosticadas com CM, encaminhadas para AE pela APS. Utilizou-se a análise de regressão logística multinível para a identificação das associações entre a suspeita do CM pela APS, variáveis socioeconômicas e atenção ao câncer. Mostraram associação significativa: nível superior de escolaridade (RC = 0,59; IC 95% = 0,35-0,98); pagamento de consulta médica para atendimento relacionado ao câncer (RC = 0,59; IC 95% = 0,36-0,96), continuou atendimento na APS após início do tratamento na AE (RC = 0,62; IC 95% = 0,41-0,95); mama examinada na APS (ECM) antes do encaminhamento para a AE (RC = 1,61; IC 95% = 1,10-2,34) e primeira mamografia solicitada na APS (RC = 2,81; IC 95% = 1,95-4,00). A solicitação da mamografia e o ECM são ações que têm sido incorporadas na APS para a detecção precoce do CM nos municípios. Continuar o atendimento na APS e melhores condições socioeconômicas, como ter nível superior de escolaridade e capacidade de pagar por atendimento, reduzem a chance da suspeita.

Tempo para diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama na assistência pública e privada

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o tempo para o diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama e os fatores associados, segundo o tipo de assistência (pública vs. privada). Métodos: Coorte retrospectiva com 477 mulheres diagnosticadas com câncer de mama entre 2014-2016. Os dados foram coletados em um serviço de oncologia de um município de Minas Gerais, entre 2018-2019. As análises foram realizadas pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e pelo modelo de regressão de Cox. Resultados: O tempo mediano para diagnóstico foi de 70 dias, sendo menor para aquelas que descobriram a doença por exames de rastreamento e diagnosticadas em estádios iniciais. O tempo mediano para o tratamento foi de 32 dias, sendo menor para as mulheres assistidas pela rede privada, com alta escolaridade e diagnosticadas em estádios iniciais. Conclusões: Assistência na rede privada e facilitadores do acesso ao cuidado do câncer de mama associaram-se a menores tempos de espera.

Primary Care Continuity and Wait Times to Receiving Breast Cancer Chemotherapy: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study Using CanIMPACT Data

(1) Background: Wait times to chemotherapy are associated with morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients; however, it is unclear how primary care physician (PCP) continuity impacts these wait times, or whether this association is different in immigrants, who experience cancer care inequities. We assessed the association between PCP continuity and the contact-to-chemotherapy interval (wait time from when a patient first presents to healthcare to the first day of receiving breast cancer chemotherapy), with a specific look at the immigrant population. (2) Methods: Population-based, retrospective cohort study of women who were diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer in Ontario who received surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. We used quantile regression at the median and 90th percentile to quantify the effect of PCP continuity on the contact-to-chemotherapy interval, performing a separate analysis on the immigrant population. (3) Results: Among 12,781 breast cancer patients, including 1706 immigrants, the median contact-to-chemotherapy interval (126 days) was 3.21 days shorter (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47–5.96) in symptom-detected patients with low PCP continuity, 10.68 days shorter (95% CI 5.36–16.00) in symptom-detected patients with no baseline PCP visits and 17.43 days longer (95% CI 0.90–34.76) in screen-detected immigrants with low PCP continuity compared to the same groups with high PCP continuity. (4) Conclusions: Higher PCP continuity was not associated with a change in the contact-to-chemotherapy interval for most of our study population, but was associated with a marginally longer interval in our symptom-detected population and a shorter contact-to-chemotherapy interval in screen-detected immigrants. This highlights the importance of PCP continuity among immigrants with positive screening results. Additionally, having no PCP visits at baseline was associated with a shorter contact-to-chemotherapy interval in symptom-detected patients.

Determinants of delay from cancer diagnosis to treatment initiation in a cohort of brazilian women with breast cancer

This objective this study was to identify the time interval between breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and treatment initiation and delay-associated factors. This is a prospective cohort study that followed breast cancer patients, enrolled and treated at the cancer center in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Brazil, from October 02, 2014 to April 30, 2015. Participants were interviewed at the first consultation. Treatment-related information was collected six months after recruitment. The median and interquartile range (IQR) were calculated. The interval between breast cancer diagnosis and treatment initiation of more than 60 days was considered the delay, according to the maximum term determined by Brazilian law. The association between independent variables and the outcome was performed using the crude odds ratios (OR). Variables presenting p < .20 in the univariate analysis were included in the multiple logistic regression model by the stepwise forward method, and those with p < .05 were retained in the final model. A total of 470 patients were included in the study. The median time was of 127 days (IQR: 85- 174). Delay was observed in 89.1% of the cases. After adjustment, the variables associated with delay were age ≥ 60 years (OR: 2.48; 95% CI 1.22-5.06), initial clinical staging (<2B) (OR: 2.01; 95% CI 1.05-3.86) and residence outside the city of Rio de Janeiro (OR: 2.75; 95% CI 1.38-5.51). Delays in starting treatment were associated with sociodemographic and clinical factors. Improving patient quality of care and restructuring the health service can minimise delays.

Desigualdades raciais no estadiamento clínico avançado em mulheres com câncer de mama atendidas em um hospital de referência no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a associação entre raça/cor da pele e estadiamento clínico em mulheres com câncer de mama em um hospital de referência para tratamento oncológico do Sistema Único de Saúde. Trata-se de estudo seccional com 863 mulheres de 18 anos de idade ou mais, com câncer de mama incidente e estadiamento clínico até IIIC, matriculadas em um hospital de referência no Rio de Janeiro e entrevistadas entre novembro de 2016 e outubro de 2018. Foram coletadas variáveis sociodemográficas, de hábitos de vida e clínicas. Utilizou-se o escore de propensão com a técnica de ponderação para balancear os grupos de comparação quanto aos potenciais confundidores. A associação entre raça/cor da pele e estadiamento clínico foi analisada por meio das equações de estimação generalizada após balanceamento. O nível de significância de 5% foi adotado em todas as análises. Observou-se que 35,9% das mulheres se declararam brancas; 21,3%, pretas; e 42,8%, pardas. Mulheres de cor da pele preta apresentaram 63% mais chance de ter estadiamento II e III quando comparadas com as brancas (OR=1,63; IC95% 1,01-2,65). Conclui-se que mulheres pretas são diagnosticadas com tumores mais avançados quando comparadas com mulheres brancas.

Health Services, Socioeconomic Indicators, and Primary Care Coverage in Mortality by Lower Genital Tract and Breast Neoplasias in Brazilian Women during Reproductive and Non-Reproductive Periods

Women's health assistance at the low-complexity level is focused on the most common diseases and can be affected by primary health care coverage, particularly in areas far away from large urban centers. Thus, in this work, we aim to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic status, health care indicators, and primary care coverage in mortality from neoplasms of the lower genital tract and breast in Brazilian women during reproductive and non-reproductive periods. We conducted an ecological study at the Gynecology Discipline, Medicine School, University of São Paulo. Secondary data were collected from women according to reproductive periods and mortality data from the Mortality Information System based on International Classification of Disease-10th edition regarding breast and lower genital tract neoplasms in 2017. The health service and socioeconomic indicators were obtained from the Informatics Department of the Unified Health System and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Our results showed that primary care coverage and health service indicators were not associated with mortality from breast cancer and the female lower genital tract, both in reproductive and non-reproductive periods. Sociodemographic indicators were found to be associated with mortality from breast cancer and the female lower genital tract, with income being associated with reproductive period (β = -0.4; 95% CI, -0.8 to -0.03) and educational level in the non-reproductive period (β = 9.7; 95% CI, 1.5 to 18.0).

Regional disparities in the flow of access to breast cancer hospitalizations in Brazil in 2004 and 2014

Background

Access to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Brazil is marked by immense inequalities in the provision of specialized assistance, which leads patients to seek treatment outside the place of residence. To evaluate the variations between 2004 and 2014 in the distribution of flow between place of residence and care, and the average distance traveled for treatment of breast cancer in the administrative regions and federal states of Brazil.

Method

Analysis of secondary data from the years 2004 and 2014, extracted from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System through the Hospital Information System. Data from Hospitalization Release Authorizations were collected, and the maps were created with TabWin 3.6 software. Descriptive analysis was performed on Stata® (StataCorp, LC) 11.0.

Results

In the total flow, it was observed that there was a decrease in referrals between 2004 and 2014 in most regions. In 2004 the main direction of flow was in the Midwest and Southeast regions. In 2014, however, the intensity of these admissions was centralized in the Southeast region. In relation to the average distance traveled, the North, Northeast, and Midwest regions had the highest values of displacement. Of the 27 federative units, 17 presented an increase in average distance between these periods.

Conclusion

Despite the improvement in the hospitalization of residents, in most regions and federal units, Brazilians still travel great distances when they require treatment for breast cancer.

Inequality in breast cancer care in a Brazilian capital city: a comparative analysis of narratives

Introduction

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in women in Brazil. Timely access to treatment is a priority for health policy in the country. However, indicators of the disease are not equally distributed between women. Poverty and low levels of schooling associate with late diagnosis, worse prognosis and lower survival.

Objective

To investigate differences between women from different socio-demographic profiles in the breast cancer care trajectory in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Method

This is a hermeneutic study through narrative analysis. The selection of the participants was based on data from hospital records of four public and private oncology services in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, according to the following variables: age, levels of schooling, and treatment cost source (Proxy of income): In-depth interviews were performed with 35 women characterized in three profiles: Profile 1 (n = 7), age range 51–69 years, schooling ≥15 years and private treatment cost; Profile 2 (n = 13), age range 35–58 years, schooling = 11 years and predominantly public treatment costing; Profile 3 (n = 15), age range 43–79 years, schooling ≤ 8 years and public treatment cost.

Results

The analysis of the narratives allowed the identification of three main themes (preventive care and first signs/symptoms; search for care and diagnosis of cancer; treatment and perceptions about care received) that highlighted differences between the trajectories, with prejudice to women with characteristics of greater vulnerability (Profile 3).

Conclusion

Although in Brazil the attention to women with breast cancer is guided by principles of equality and equity of care, it is necessary to develop mechanisms to prevent discriminatory practices and that guarantee equality of access to diagnosis and treatment.