Abstract P5-07-06: Prospective cohort of breast cancer patients exposed to a navigation program for timely access to referral services in Mexico

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Abstract Background: Patient navigation (PN) is an essential component of cancer care that reduces barriers and enhances the provision of comprehensive, patient-centered care. PN programs and evidence regarding their effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries are limited. This study aimed to assess whether a PN program for the systematic identification of breast cancer (BC) patients’ medical and support needs facilitated referral and timely access to the specialty and supportive care services they required. Methods: This prospective cohort included women ≥18 years with a recent BC diagnosis (≤3 months [m]), treated at Hospital Zambrano Hellion TecSalud in Mexico, and who provided signed informed consent to participate in the PN program from Apr-21 to Jul-22. Participants completed a series of target questions and validated questionnaires to systematically identify their health needs at baseline, 3 m and 6 m since diagnosis. Subsequently, the navigator had a face-to-face or remote meeting with each patient to inform them about the needs detected at each timepoint. According to these needs, the navigator provided referral to the required services. However, it was each patient’s decision whether she attended to the recommended services. Patients’ attendance to referrals provided at baseline and 3 m were assessed at 3 m and 6 m, respectively. Descriptive statistics were employed. Results: During the analyzed period, 263 patients were invited to participate in the study. Of these, 161 (61%) agreed to participate, 57 (22%) agreed but did not complete any survey, and 45 (17%) denied participation. At the time of the analysis, 148, 119 and 86 patients had completed baseline, 3 m and 6 m navigation, respectively. Median time from BC diagnosis to the baseline navigation meeting post survey-completion was 46 days (12-90). Patients’ median age at baseline was 48 years (24-88). Most had ≥high school education (93%), were unemployed (51%) and were married/in domestic partnership (73%). As for medical insurance, most had public (32%) or both public and private coverage (32%), while the rest had private (26%) or no insurance (9%). Patients’ referrals according to their needs and the rate of attendance to those services are detailed in the Table. The main barriers that were qualitatively identified for non-attendance to referral services were time restrictions, patient-provider miscommunication, medical coverage limitations, and financial constraints. Feedback regarding the PN program was provided in 72 cases. All respondents were very satisfied (97%) or satisfied (3%) with the program; affirmed the navigator had facilitated their referral to all (97%) or some (3%) of the services they believed they needed; and stated that the program aided to better cope with their illness (100%). Conclusion: Patients experienced diverse health needs during their trajectory through BC, mainly in terms of psychological support, genetic counseling, maintenance of an adequate weight and access to support groups. However, a suboptimal proportion of patients received attention by the required services. This PN program effectively detected patients’ needs and provided referrals to specific services. Moreover, patients were highly satisfied with the program and believed it aided their coping process. Yet, several barriers that hinder attendance to the referral services might exist and should be identified to enhance the provision of timely, comprehensive care. Table. Patients’ referral and attendance to specialty and supportive care services. Citation Format: Fernanda Mesa-Chavez, Emmeline Rochelle-Palacios, Mauricio Canavati-Marcos, Cynthia Villarreal-Garza. Prospective cohort of breast cancer patients exposed to a navigation program for timely access to referral services in Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-06.