Identifying opportunities to improve equity in breast cancer care for uninsured Hispanic patients in underserved communities.

Abstract

132 Background: Enhancing equitable oncologic care is an increasingly emphasized priority. Our study aims to identify aspects of breast cancer (BC) care in which differences exist based on insurance coverage. Methods: We performed a retrospective, case control study, (from 2014-2020); 39 Hispanic ethnicity uninsured patients (UP) from underserved communities with newly diagnosed BC and 119 insured patients (IP) diagnosed at Mayo Clinic Arizona (MCA). Patients were matched 3:1 for age, stage, year of diagnosis, estrogen receptors and HER-2 status. Demographic information, clinical variables, and zip code level specific socioeconomic information were compared. Continuous variables were compared by Wilcoxon rank-sum test and categorical variables by chi-square test. All patients were treated at MCA. Results: Similar treatment patterns with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery were observed between groups. Primary language was Spanish for 94% of UP and English for 97.5% of IP. The majority of UP were of Hispanic ethnicity (97.4%); IP were 83.2% non-Hispanic White, 9.2% Hispanic, 3.4% African American. Zip code level information reflected more unemployment with a median of 10.6% versus 6.9% p < 0.001, percent of high school or lower (53.0 % v 23.2 %, p < 0.001), and lower income for UP (33733.5 v 64728.0 p values < 0.001).BMI was significantly higher for UP (30.6 V 24.7, p = 0.005), with presence of more co-morbidities; diabetes (28.2% v 5.0%, p < 0.001), hypertension (35.9 % v 20.2%, p = 0.046), dyslipidemia (28.2% v 12.6%, p = 0.023), metabolic syndrome (p 23.7% v 8.5, p = 0.013), and tobacco use (17.9% v 2.5%, p < 0.001). Genetics consultation was performed for 62.2% IP versus 35.9% UP (p = 0.004), lower acceptance of nutrition consultation for UP (29.4% vs 7.4%, p = 0.024). Median time from mammogram to biopsy (25.5 days vs. 14 days, p = 0.056), and interval from diagnosis to treatment (62 days vs. 39 days) (p = 0.001) were less favorable for UP compared to IP. Conclusions: In comparing the status of UP and IP with newly diagnosed BC, we identified greater prevalence of co-morbidities and adverse social determinants of health in the former group. We identified access to genetic counseling, nutrition consultation, and timeliness of diagnostic biopsy and initiation of treatment as disparate features in the care pathway. These observations allowed development of tailored interventions to achieve greater equity in delivery of BC care at Mayo Clinic.