25 Aug Distance, Insurance and Number of Oncologists Limit Access To Chemotherapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Anna Lin, MBA, PHD
Senior Epidemiologist, Health Services Research
American Cancer Society, Inc.
250 Williams St.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Lin: Evidence-based guidelines recommend the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with Stage III colon cancer within 90 days of colectomy to improve disease-free and overall survival; however, a substantial proportion of patients do not receive this treatment. Geographic access to care may be associated with receipt of chemotherapy but has not been fully examined.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Dr. Lin: The main findings of this study indicate that patients traveling more than 50 miles were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage III node-positive colon cancer. In addition, patients who had either no insurance or public (non-private) insurance and resided in areas with low density of oncologists were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Lin: While it is reassuring that most patients in this study received adjuvant chemotherapy on time, the fact that increased travel burden was associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving chemotherapy, regardless of insurance status is concerning. It tells us expanded insurance coverage, while important, might not fully address the barriers to patients receiving guideline-recommended treatment.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Lin: Future research can perform in-depth analyses in areas that have a low number of oncologists, to help analyze how interventions to decrease geographic barriers might improve access to cancer treatment.
Citation:
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JCO JCO.2015.61.1558; published online on August 24, 2015;
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Anna Lin, MBA, PHD (2015). Distance, Insurance and Number of Oncologists Limit Access To Chemotherapy
Last Updated on August 25, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD