E. C. Feliberti1, R. C. Britt1, J. N. Collins1, R. R. Perry1 1Eastern Virginia Medical School,Surgical Oncology,Norfolk, VA, USA
Introduction:
Disparities in breast cancer outcomes can in part be related to access to screening mammography. We hypothesize that these disparities would be minimized in a patient population younger than screening guidelines.
Methods:
Consecutive newly diagnosed sporadic female breast cancer patients under 40 years old treated at an academic medical center were identified and stratified into those without and those with medical insurance. Uninsured were seen in a safety net clinic and offered the same multidisciplinary evaluation and management as the insured counterpart. Patient demographics, tumor histology, treatment rendered and outcomes were compared.
Results:
One hundred twelve patients were identified, 29 without insurance and 83 with insurance. Uninsured women were younger with a median age of 32 y.o. compared to 36 y.o., respectively (p=0.001), with a similar proportion of African American (54.3% vs. 45.3%) and Caucasian (34.3% vs. 48.8%) women. (p=0.292) Median tumor size was 1.85 cm and 2.15 cm, respectively (p=0.312), with similar distribution of luminal A (44.8% vs. 32.7%), luminal B (24.1% vs. 19%), and triple negative (24.1% vs. 41.4%) breast cancers. (p=0.06) The proportion of positive lymph nodes (33% vs 38.5%, p=0.782) and receipt of preoperative chemotherapy (42.9% vs 37.8%, p=0.743) were not different in the 2 cohorts. Uninsured women underwent breast conservation therapy at similar rates as insured (50% vs 45%, p=0.747) and those undergoing mastectomy had similar breast reconstruction rates. (60% vs. 45%, p=0.548) Overall survival of the uninsured and insured cohorts was 86 mos. and 136 mos., (p=0.863) with a respective recurrence-free survival of 75 mos. and not reached. (p=0.885).
Conclusion:
Breast cancer outcomes in those without medical insurance is minimized at younger ages before screening in this single institution study. Outcomes may be more related to tumor biology in this patient population with similar tumor histology, treatment and survival.