Abstract P1-06-06: Access to medical coverage in newly diagnosed Breast cancer patients a minority population during the COVID 19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hispanics are among the most significant minorities in the United States, and assessing their health needs is vital in formulating health policies. The social, environmental, and biological background affect their morbidity and mortality, with cancer being the leading cause of mortality in Hispanics. Although implementing the Affordable Care Act improved access to health care, disparities and challenges in Hispanics’ access to health care remain. (1) In our study, we are trying to assess the COVID-19 pandemic implications on the socioeconomic status of Hispanics with newly diagnosed breast cancer and how that is affecting their outcome. Methods: This is a retrospective study demonstrating the nature of breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and management during COVID-19 lockdown and post-vaccine compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. The restrospective review was conducted at Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio, IRB approved by UT Health San Antonio. The data were abstracted from the medical record system (EPIC). Pearson’s Chi-squared and logistic regression tests were used to determine the relationship between time and stage at diagnosis and association with funding status Result: 696 subjects with newly diagnosed breast cancer were identified and divided into three cohorts: Cohort A: 264 pts in a pre-covid era: From 2018-February 2020, Cohort B: 171 patients during the covid-19 lockdown, and Cohort C: from April 2020-Dec-2020 with 261 patients in the post-vaccine era. A higher percentage of patients had Tis identified in Cohort A (26%) compared to Cohort B (19%) and Cohort C(12%) (p0.003). These numbers have changed to an increasing percentage of patients with T1 or T2. N0 or N1in Cohort B (62%) and Chohort C (68%), p0.003). Presentation of locally advanced (T3/T4 with any N) and metastatic disease remained relatively similar in all cohorts, with more metastatic cases at presentation in Cohort A (p0.003). Many patients of Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.47, p0.1) were not funded by commercial insurance or Medicare. (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.43, 3.77, p< 0.001). A high proportion of Hispanic ethnicity in post covid era (cohort B and C) OR 1.78, 95% CI (1.16,2.79) (p0.009) required neoadjuvant chemotherapy suggesting more advanced and possibly aggressive cancer histology. We observed that unfunded patients are less likely to have hormonal receptor-positive breast cancer (p0.001). Conclusion: Population health is likely affected by socioeconomic status, which eventually affects their health care. In a minority Hispanic population, low average income and educational attainment are likely the obstacles to getting timely appropriate health.(2) A higher proportion of Hispanic patients were not insured when compared to non-Hispanics leading possibly to more advanced and aggressive histologies at presentation.