Abstract A94: Multidisciplinary team approach improves breast cancer survival in minority women

Abstract

Abstract Background: Approximately 192,370 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2009. This represents approximately 1 in 8 American women facing the challenge of Breast Cancer therapy in their lifetime. Further, more than 40,000 women will die of breast cancer annually. These statistics represent a significant improvement in the U.S. mortality rate for breast cancer. There continues to be a disparity in outcome from breast cancer with a significantly lower survival in African American women and the uninsured. Our multidisciplinary treatment team includes physicians, nurse navigator and clinical trials specialist are all focused on optimizing multimodal treatment, clinical trial participation, improved quality of life and survival. Methods: All patients with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 at our inner city, public safety-net hospital were included in this evaluation. Each patient had a confirmed histological diagnosis of breast adenocarcinoma. Patient demographic data, tumor staging, treatment and outcomes/survival were evaluated. Tumor Registry Data from our institution was compared to data from the National Cancer Database for the above mentioned time period. All patients at our hospital were treated by the same clinicians and staff utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach. Results: There were 120 patients included in this study during the 5 year period. Of these, 4 patients were men. The majority of patients were between age 40 and 60. Our patients were significantly younger at initial diagnosis compared to the national findings. The ethnic distribution of our patient population: 54% African American, 41 % Caucasian, 3% Asian, 1 % American Indian, and 2% other. Evaluation of our payer status demonstrated that approximately 30% of our patients were self-pay and 32% indigent. Only 5% of our patients were insured with managed care organizations and less than 1% had private insurance. Conclusion: Carefully coordinated multidisciplinary team management of patients with breast cancer resulted in improved clinical outcomes regardless of the patient's ethnicity or insurance status. Implementation of best practice protocols (coordinate multidisciplinary team management; nurse navigator and a vibrant clinical trials program) should become standard at all Community hospitals and academic medical centers, particularly medical facilities serving minority and uninsured patients. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A94.