National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 3 of 3 Research Studies DisplayedLongacre CF, Neprash HT, Shippee ND
Evaluating travel distance to radiation facilities among rural and urban breast cancer patients in the Medicare population.
This study characterizes the actual distance older breast cancer patients traveled to radiation treatment and the minimum distance necessary to reach radiation care, and examines whether any patient demographic or clinical factors are associated with greater travel distance. Findings showed that patients living in rural areas traveled on average nearly 3 times as far as those from urban areas, and their nearest facility was more than 4 times farther away. Older age, being single or widowed, and lower household income were significantly associated with shorter actual travel distance, while increasing rurality was significantly associated with greater actual and minimum travel distance to radiation treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS026660.
Citation: Longacre CF, Neprash HT, Shippee ND .
Evaluating travel distance to radiation facilities among rural and urban breast cancer patients in the Medicare population.
J Rural Health 2020 Jun;36(3):334-46. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12413..
Keywords: Rural Health, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Elderly, Women, Access to Care, Disparities
Garcia-Albeniz X, Hernan MA, Logan RW
Continuation of annual screening mammography and breast cancer mortality in women older than 70 years.
This study examined whether discontinuing annual mammography screening in women older than 70 years results in an increased 8-year breast cancer mortality. The researchers used data from the Medicare program and looked at over 1 million beneficiaries aged 70 to 84 who had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, and who underwent screening mammography from 2000 to 20008. The 8-year risk difference for women aged 70 to 74 years was -1.0 death per 1000 women and for women aged 75 to 84 years it was 0.07. Neither of these show substantial reductions in 8-year breast cancer mortality compared with stopping screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS023128.
Citation: Garcia-Albeniz X, Hernan MA, Logan RW .
Continuation of annual screening mammography and breast cancer mortality in women older than 70 years.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Mar 17;172(6):381-89. doi: 10.7326/m18-1199..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Women, Elderly, Mortality
Killelea BK, Evans SB, Mougalian SS
Association between perceived benefits and receipt of radiotherapy among older breast cancer patients.
This study examined perceptions of older women with stage I estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer who underwent lumpectomy and were considering or receiving radiotherapy. Perceptions among 63 older women was that radiotherapy would reduce their 10-year-risk of local recurrent by an average of 18.7% although the literature showed only an 8% risk reduction. Participants who had the perception of a larger benefit were more likely to receive radiotherapy treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Killelea BK, Evans SB, Mougalian SS .
Association between perceived benefits and receipt of radiotherapy among older breast cancer patients.
Breast J 2020 Feb;26(2):231-34. doi: 10.1111/tbj.13518..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Shared Decision Making