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Use and timeliness of radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery in low-income women with early stage breast cancer
Wheeler, SB., Wu, Y., Meyer, AM., Carpenter, WR., Richardson, LC., Smith, JL., Lewis, M., & Weiner, BJ. (2012). Use and timeliness of radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery in low-income women with early stage breast cancer. Cancer Investigation, 30(4), 258-267. https://doi.org/10.3109/07357907.2012.658937
Purpose: To characterize overall receipt and timeliness of radiation therapy (RT) following breast-conserving surgery among Medicaid-insured patients. Method: State cancer registry data linked with Medicaid claims from2003 to 2009 were analyzed. Multivariate logistic and Cox proportional hazards regressions were employed. Results: Overall, 81% of patients received guideline-recommended RT. Significant variation in timing of RT initiation was documented. Having fewer comorbitidies and receiving chemotherapy were correlated with higher odds of RT initiation within 1 year. Conclusion: Although RT use in Medicaid-insured women appears to have improved since earlier studies, documented delays in RT are troublesome and warrant further investigation
