National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 35 Research Studies DisplayedAlagoz O, Lowry KP, Kurian AW
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer mortality in the US: estimates from collaborative simulation modeling.
This study’s objective was to project the impact of COVID-19 on future breast cancer mortality between 2020 and 2030. Three established Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network breast cancer models were used to model reductions in mammography screening use, delays in symptomatic cancer diagnosis, and reduced use of chemotherapy for women with early-stage disease for the first 6 months of the pandemic with return to prepandemic patterns after that time. The models project by 2030 950 cumulative excess breast cancers deaths related to reduced screening, 1314 deaths associated with delayed diagnosis of symptomatic cases, and 151 deaths associated with reduced chemotherapy use in women with hormone positive, early-stage cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Alagoz O, Lowry KP, Kurian AW .
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer mortality in the US: estimates from collaborative simulation modeling.
J Natl Cancer Inst 2021 Nov 2;113(11):1484-94. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djab097..
Keywords: COVID-19, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Mortality, Women
Bowles EJA, O'Neill SC, Li T
Effect of a randomized trial of a web-based intervention on patient-provider communication about breast density.
This study evaluated a personalized web-based intervention between women and their providers designed to improve breast cancer risk communication. This randomized trial included women aged 40-69 years with 504 women in the control group and 492 women who used the intervention website. The website included information about breast density, personalized breast cancer risk, chemoprevention, and magnetic resonance imaging. Participants self-reported their communication about density with providers at 6 weeks and 12 months. Women in the intervention arm were 2.39 times more likely to report density communication at 6 weeks than the control arm. This effect persisted at 12 months. At 6 weeks the effect was only significant among women who reported versus those who did not report any previous density discussions. A quarter of women in each arm did not have a density conversation at any point during the study.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Bowles EJA, O'Neill SC, Li T .
Effect of a randomized trial of a web-based intervention on patient-provider communication about breast density.
J Womens Health 2021 Nov;30(11):1529-37. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0053.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982..
AHRQ-funded; HS022982..
Keywords: Communication, Women, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Kuijer A, Dominici LS, Rosenberg SM
Arm morbidity after local therapy for young breast cancer patients.
This study assessed patient-reported arm morbidity in the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study (YWS). Participants were over 1300 women with breast cancer diagnosed at age 40 or younger and who were enrolled in the YWS. Findings showed that high rates of self-reported arm morbidity in young breast cancer survivors were reported, particularly in patients receiving axillary lymph node dissection and post-mastectomy radiation therapy. Recommendations included attention to the risks and benefits of differing local therapy strategies for axillary lymph node dissection and post-mastectomy radiation therapy patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: Kuijer A, Dominici LS, Rosenberg SM .
Arm morbidity after local therapy for young breast cancer patients.
Ann Surg Oncol 2021 Oct;28(11):6071-82. doi: 10.1245/s10434-021-09947-3..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Surgery
Dominici L, Hu J, Zheng Y
Association of local therapy with quality-of-life outcomes in young women with breast cancer.
Researchers examined the association of surgery with longer-term satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) in young breast cancer survivors. Participants were women 40 years or older who enrolled in the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study. The results suggested that local therapy in young breast cancer survivors is persistently associated with poorer scores in multiple QOL domains, particularly among those treated with mastectomy and radiotherapy, irrespective of breast reconstruction. Socioeconomic stressors also appear to play a role.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: Dominici L, Hu J, Zheng Y .
Association of local therapy with quality-of-life outcomes in young women with breast cancer.
JAMA Surg 2021 Oct;156(10):e213758. 2021. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.3758..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Quality of Life, Women, Surgery
Sella T, Poorvu PD, Ruddy KJ
Impact of fertility concerns on endocrine therapy decisions in young breast cancer survivors.
The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can have profound effects on a young woman's family planning and fertility, particularly among women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. In this paper the authors discuss the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study, a multicenter cohort of women aged 40 years or younger and newly diagnosed with breast cancer from 2006 to 2016. The investigators concluded that concern about fertility was a contributor to adjuvant ET decisions among a substantial proportion of young breast cancer survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: Sella T, Poorvu PD, Ruddy KJ .
Impact of fertility concerns on endocrine therapy decisions in young breast cancer survivors.
Cancer 2021 Aug 15;127(16):2888-94. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33596..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Pregnancy, Decision Making
Baskin AS, Wang T, Bredbeck BC
Trends in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy utilization for small unilateral breast cancer.
This study describes trends in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) utilization for small unilateral breast cancer instead of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) which is recommended. The authors used the National Cancer Database to identify women with unilateral, T1 breast cancer. Of the total cohort of 765,487, 69% underwent BCS and 31% chose mastectomy. Of 176,673 women aged 70 years or older, 75% underwent BCS and 25% chose mastectomy. CPM rates have increased in both cohorts since 2006. Patient factors such as younger age, white rate, private insurance, tumor factors, and facility factors were associated with increased CPM rates compared with unilateral mastectomy.
Citation: Baskin AS, Wang T, Bredbeck BC .
Trends in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy utilization for small unilateral breast cancer.
J Surg Res 2021 Jun;262:71-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.12.057..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Surgery, Prevention, Healthcare Utilization
Glenn BA, Nonzee NJ, Hamilton AS
Cancer surveillance and preventive services in a diverse sample of breast and colorectal cancer survivors.
This study assessed engagement in surveillance for recurrence, cancer screening, and other recommended preventive health services among breast and colorectal cancer survivors with early-onset disease (age 50 years and younger) who were diagnosed in California. Findings showed that, although the majority of survivors received appropriate surveillance for recurrence, engagement in other preventive health services varied substantially. Implications included efforts to address gaps in the use of recommended cancer screening and preventive health services among cancer survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Glenn BA, Nonzee NJ, Hamilton AS .
Cancer surveillance and preventive services in a diverse sample of breast and colorectal cancer survivors.
J Cancer Surviv 2021 Apr;15(2):213-23. doi: 10.1007/s11764-020-00925-4..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Prevention, Screening
Rauscher GH, Murphy AM, Qiu Q
The "sweet spot" revisited: optimal recall rates for cancer detection with 2D and 3D digital screening mammography in the Metro Chicago Breast Cancer Registry.
The authors examined the trade-offs for higher recall rates in terms of biopsy recommendations and cancer detection in mammography in a single large health care organization. 2D analog, 2D digital, and 3D digital mammography screenings among women 40-79 years old with cancer follow-up were examined. They found that the results of their investigation were in contrast to those of a recent study suggesting appropriateness of higher recall rates. They concluded that optimal cancer detection appeared to be in the recall rate range of 7-9% for both 2D digital mammography and 3D tomosynthesis.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Rauscher GH, Murphy AM, Qiu Q .
The "sweet spot" revisited: optimal recall rates for cancer detection with 2D and 3D digital screening mammography in the Metro Chicago Breast Cancer Registry.
AJR Am J Roentgenol 2021 Apr;216(4):894-902. doi: 10.2214/ajr.19.22429.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Screening, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Women, Prevention
Wang T, Bredbeck BC, Sinco B
Variations in persistent use of low-value breast cancer surgery.
Through the Choosing Wisely campaign, surgical specialties identified 4 low-value breast cancer operations. Preliminary data suggest varying rates of deimplementation and have identified patient-level and clinician-level determinants of continued overuse. However, little information exists about facility-level variation or determinants of differential deimplementation. In this retrospective cohort study the investigators sought to identify variation and determinants of persistent use of low-value breast cancer surgical care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Wang T, Bredbeck BC, Sinco B .
Variations in persistent use of low-value breast cancer surgery.
JAMA Surg 2021 Apr;156(4):353-62. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.6942..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Women
Miglioretti DL, Bissell MCS, Kerlikowske K
Assessment of a risk-based approach for triaging mammography examinations during periods of reduced capacity.
Breast cancer screening, surveillance, and diagnostic imaging services were profoundly limited during the initial phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The objective of this population-based cohort study was to develop a risk-based strategy for triaging mammograms during periods of decreased capacity. The investigators found that clinical indication and individual risk factors were associated with cancer detection and suggest these may be useful for prioritizing mammography in times and settings of decreased capacity.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Miglioretti DL, Bissell MCS, Kerlikowske K .
Assessment of a risk-based approach for triaging mammography examinations during periods of reduced capacity.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Mar;4(3):e211974. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.1974..
Keywords: Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Imaging, Access to Care, COVID-19
Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
This study looked at access to digital breast tomography (DBT) versus regular mammography and whether women of minority race/ethnicity and lower socioeconomic status experienced lower DBT access during the early adoption period and persistently lower DBT use over time. This cross-sectional study included 92 geographically diverse imaging facilities across 5 US states, with over 2.3 million screening examinations performed among women aged 40 to 89 years from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from June 2019, to August 2020. Women who used DBT increased for all women from 3.3% in 2011 to 82.6% in 2017. In 2012, Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and women with less than a high school education had lower DBT access compared to White women attending the same facility and also college graduates. Lower DBT access continued over time regardless of the number of years after facility-level DBT adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T .
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Feb;4(2):e2037546. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37546..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Access to Care, Women, Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Song H, Bergman A, Chen AT
Disruptions in preventive care: mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective of this study was to measure the extent to which the provision of mammograms was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and surrounding guidelines. The data source for the study were de-identified summary data derived from medical claims and eligibility files were provided by Independence Blue Cross for women receiving mammograms. The investigators concluded that the provision of mammograms has been significantly disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHRQ-funded; HS026116.
Citation: Song H, Bergman A, Chen AT .
Disruptions in preventive care: mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Serv Res 2021 Feb;56(1):95-101. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13596..
Keywords: COVID-19, Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Prevention
Baskin AS, Wang T, Mott NM
Gaps in online breast cancer treatment information for older women.
This study’s goal was to assess the availability of web-based educational materials targeting older women facing early-stage breast cancer treatment. Routine use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and adjuvant radiotherapy offers no overall survival benefit and may not be perceived as desirable by older women. National guidelines allow omission of these treatments for older women. The authors systematically reviewed the top 25 hospital websites ranked as “Best Hospitals for Cancer” by U.S. News & World Report, as well as the websites of four prominent national cancer organizations. Only one national organization and no hospital websites included the recommendation to avoid routine SLNB. Only 2 hospitals and 2 national organizations included information for patients older than 70 years suggesting possible omission of adjuvant radiotherapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Baskin AS, Wang T, Mott NM .
Gaps in online breast cancer treatment information for older women.
Ann Surg Oncol 2021 Feb;28(2):950-57. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08961-1..
Keywords: Elderly, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Information Technology (HIT), Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women
Mott N, Wang T, Miller J
Medical maximizing-minimizing preferences in relation to low-value services for older women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a qualitative study.
In this qualitative study, researchers conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with women age 70 or older without a previous diagnosis of breast cancer in order to elicit perspectives on breast cancer treatment in relation to their medical maximizing-minimizing preferences, as determined by the single-item maximizer-minimizer elicitation question (MM1). They found that medical maximizing-minimizing preferences in older women corresponded with preferences for breast cancer treatment options that guidelines identify as potentially unnecessary.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Mott N, Wang T, Miller J .
Medical maximizing-minimizing preferences in relation to low-value services for older women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a qualitative study.
Ann Surg Oncol 2021 Feb;28(2):941-49. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08924-6..
Keywords: Elderly, Women, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer
Wang T, Baskin A, Miller J
Trends in breast cancer treatment de-implementation in older patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a mixed methods study.
Guidelines allow for the omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and post-lumpectomy radiotherapy in women >/= 70 years of age with hormone receptor-positive (HR +) breast cancer. Despite this, national data suggest these procedures have not been widely de-implemented. The objectives of this study were to evaluate trends in SLNB and post-lumpectomy radiotherapy utilization in patients who were eligible for omission and evaluate patient preferences as a target for de-implementation of low-value care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Wang T, Baskin A, Miller J .
Trends in breast cancer treatment de-implementation in older patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a mixed methods study.
Ann Surg Oncol 2021 Feb;28(2):902-13. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08823-w..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare Utilization, Practice Patterns, Women
Eyrich NW, Sloss KR, Howard RA
Opioid prescribing exceeds consumption following common surgical oncology procedures.
Researchers aimed to compare opioid prescribing to opioid consumption for common surgical oncology procedures. They found that the median quantity of opioid prescribed was significantly larger than consumed following breast biopsy, lumpectomy, and mastectomy or wide local excision. The majority of patients reported receiving education on taking opioids, but only 27% received instructions on proper disposal; 82% of prescriptions filled resulted in unused opioids, and only 11% of these patients safely disposed of them. They concluded that their study demonstrated that opioid prescribing exceeds consumption following common surgical oncology procedures, thus indicating the potential for reductions in prescribing.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Eyrich NW, Sloss KR, Howard RA .
Opioid prescribing exceeds consumption following common surgical oncology procedures.
J Surg Oncol 2021 Jan;123(1):352-56. doi: 10.1002/jso.26272..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Surgery, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Practice Patterns, Pain
Childers CP, Childers KK, Maggard-Gibbons M
National estimates of genetic testing in women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer.
In the United States, 3.8 million women have a history of breast (BC) or ovarian cancer (OC). Up to 15 percent of cases are attributable to heritable mutations, which, if identified, provide critical knowledge for treatment and preventive care. This study found that fewer than one in five individuals with a history of BC or OC meeting select National Cancer Comprehensive Network criteria have undergone genetic testing.
AHRQ-funded; HS025079.
Citation: Childers CP, Childers KK, Maggard-Gibbons M .
National estimates of genetic testing in women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer.
J Clin Oncol 2017 Dec 1;35(34):3800-06. doi: 10.1200/jco.2017.73.6314.
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Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Ovarian Cancer, Family Health and History, Genetics, Quality of Care, Screening, Women
Kelly G, Wang SY, Lucas G
Facilitating meaningful engagement on community advisory committees in patient-centered outcome research.
In this study, the investigators conducted a process evaluation of ongoing activities of a Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) formed around the development of an individualized decision aid for older women with early stage breast cancer. They indicated that their results suggested that engaging committee members in a process of evaluation and collective reflection during a research collaboration can break down barriers to collaboration, build relationships, create opportunities for co-learning and strengthen researchers' capacity to engage meaningfully with stakeholders.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Kelly G, Wang SY, Lucas G .
Facilitating meaningful engagement on community advisory committees in patient-centered outcome research.
Prog Community Health Partnersh 2017;11(3):243-51. doi: 10.1353/cpr.2017.0029..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA
Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization.
The researchers sought to estimate the extent of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer (IBC) within a single, large health care organization. Contrary to expectation, in patient-adjusted models, there was no IBC racial disparity. The sorting of patients by race across facilities appears to have mitigated an otherwise anticipated disparity in IBC.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA .
Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization.
Ann Epidemiol 2017 Oct;27(10):654-58. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.09.002.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Screening, Screening, Imaging
Farias AJ, Du XL
Racial differences in adjuvant endocrine therapy use and discontinuation in association with mortality among Medicare breast cancer patients by receptor status.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether racial/ethnic differences in use and discontinuation of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) differed by hormone receptor status and whether discontinuation was associated with mortality. There are racial/ethnic differences in AET use and discontinuation. Discontinuing treatment was associated with higher risk of all-cause and cancer-specific mortality regardless of hormone receptor status.
AHRQ-funded; HS018956.
Citation: Farias AJ, Du XL .
Racial differences in adjuvant endocrine therapy use and discontinuation in association with mortality among Medicare breast cancer patients by receptor status.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017 Aug;26(8):1266-75. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-17-0280.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Disparities, Elderly, Mortality, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Wang SY, Kelly G, Gross C
Information needs of older women with early-stage breast cancer when making radiation therapy decisions.
The researchers identified the information older women with early-stage breast cancer need when making radiation therapy decisions, and who patients identify as the main decision maker. They found that older women consider themselves to be the main decision maker; they desire information and have more agency and input in the decision-making process than prior literature would suggest.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Wang SY, Kelly G, Gross C .
Information needs of older women with early-stage breast cancer when making radiation therapy decisions.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2017 Jul 15;98(4):733-40. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.02.001.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Decision Making, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Treatments
Ballard TNS, Zhong L, Momoh AO
Improved rates of immediate breast reconstruction at safety net hospitals.
Although disparities in receipt of breast reconstruction persist at the patient level, the extent to which hospital factors contribute to these differences remains unclear. This study concluded that, after accounting for sociodemographic factors, women undergoing mastectomies at safety net hospitals remain less likely to undergo immediate breast reconstruction. However, the differences in rates of reconstruction between safety net and non-safety net hospitals have narrowed over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Ballard TNS, Zhong L, Momoh AO .
Improved rates of immediate breast reconstruction at safety net hospitals.
Plast Reconstr Surg 2017 Jul;140(1):1-10. doi: 10.1097/prs.0000000000003412.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Surgery
Aliu O, Zhong L, Chetta MD
Comparing health care resource use between implant and autologous reconstruction of the irradiated breast: a national claims-based assessment.
Nationwide data were used to examine health care resource use associated with implant and autologous reconstruction. Thirty-two percent of implant reconstructions failed, compared with 5 percent of autologous cases. In aggregate, failures constituted more than 20 percent of the cumulative costs of implant reconstruction compared with less than 5 percent for autologous reconstruction.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Aliu O, Zhong L, Chetta MD .
Comparing health care resource use between implant and autologous reconstruction of the irradiated breast: a national claims-based assessment.
Plast Reconstr Surg 2017 Jun;139(6):1224e-31e. doi: 10.1097/prs.0000000000003336.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Surgery
Taylor C, Correa C, Duane FK
Estimating the risks of breast cancer radiotherapy: evidence from modern radiation doses to the lungs and heart and from previous randomized trials.
The researchers estimated the absolute long-term risks of modern breast cancer radiotherapy. They concluded that, for long-term smokers, the absolute risks of modern radiotherapy may outweigh the benefits, yet for most nonsmokers (and ex-smokers), the benefits of radiotherapy far outweigh the risks. Hence, smoking can determine the net effect of radiotherapy on mortality, but smoking cessation substantially reduces radiotherapy risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS021681.
Citation: Taylor C, Correa C, Duane FK .
Estimating the risks of breast cancer radiotherapy: evidence from modern radiation doses to the lungs and heart and from previous randomized trials.
J Clin Oncol 2017 May 20;35(15):1641-49. doi: 10.1200/jco.2016.72.0722.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Risk, Treatments
Vyas A, Madhavan SS, Sambamoorthi U
Differences in Medicare expenditures between Appalachian and nationally representative cohorts of elderly women with breast cancer: an application of decomposition technique.
The objective of this study was to determine Medicare expenditures during the initial phase of care among women in West Virginia (WV) who were Medicare beneficiaries with BC and compare them with national estimates. It found that the difference in average Medicare expenditures between the elderly beneficiaries with BC from a rural state (WV) and their national counterparts narrowed but remained significantly lower after multivariate adjustment.
AHRQ-funded; HS018622.
Citation: Vyas A, Madhavan SS, Sambamoorthi U .
Differences in Medicare expenditures between Appalachian and nationally representative cohorts of elderly women with breast cancer: an application of decomposition technique.
J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2017 May;15(5):578-87.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Elderly, Healthcare Costs, Medicare, Rural Health