Breast cancer patients' experiences within and outside the safety net.

BACKGROUND: Following reforms to the breast-cancer referral process for our city's health Safety Net (SN), we compared the experiences from first abnormality to definitive diagnosis of breast-cancer patients referred to Siteman Cancer Center from SN and non-SN (NSN) providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SN-referred patients with any stage (0-IV) and NSN-referred patients with late-stage (IIB-IV) breast cancer were prospectively identified after diagnosis during cancer center consultations conducted between September 2008 and June 2010. Interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim; transcripts were independently coded by two raters using inductive methods to identify themes. RESULTS: Of 82 eligible patients, 57 completed interviews (33/47 SN [70%] and 24/35 NSN [69%]). Eighteen SN-referred patients (52%) had late-stage disease at diagnosis, as did all NSN patients (by design). A higher proportion of late-stage SN patients (67%) than either early-stage SN (47%) or NSN (33%) patients reported feelings of fear and avoidance that deterred them from pursuing care for concerning breast findings. A higher proportion of SN late-stage patients than NSN patient reported behaviors concerning for poor health knowledge or behavior (33% versus 8%), but reported receipt of timely, consistent communication from health care providers once they received care (50% versus 17%). Half of late-stage SN patients reported improper clinical or administrative conduct by health care workers that delayed referral and/or diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although SN patients reported receipt of compassionate care once connected with health services, they presented with higher-than-expected rates of late-stage disease. Psychological barriers, life stressors, and provider or clinic delays affected access to and navigation of the health care system and represent opportunities for intervention.

Patient and process factors associated with late-stage breast cancer diagnosis in Safety-Net patients: a pilot prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Following reforms to our city's Safety-Net (SN) breast cancer referral process, we investigated whether factors often associated with late-stage diagnosis would differ by referral source--SN versus non-Safety-Net (NSN)--or, among SN patients, by stage at diagnosis. METHODS: From September 2008 to June 2010, SN patients with any-stage (0-IV) and NSN patients with late-stage (IIB-IV) breast cancer were identified prospectively during initial cancer-center consultations. Data were analyzed using logistic regression, chi-square, and t tests; two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Fifty-seven women completed interviews (33 SN, 24 NSN); 52% of SN-referred patients were diagnosed with late-stage disease. Compared with NSN late-stage patients, SN late-stage patients were more likely to be African-American (83% vs. 21%, P < 0.001), to have an annual household income <$25,000 (89% vs. 38%, P < 0.001), and to report having a health problem in the preceding year but not being able to see a doctor because of cost (67% vs. 25%, P = 0.012); they were less likely to be married/partnered (22% vs. 79%, P < 0.001) and to have post-college education (0% vs. 25%, P < 0.03), any insurance (61% vs. 96%, P < 0.005), and to have sought medical attention within 1 week of realizing they had concerning breast findings (50% vs. 79%, P = 0.047). Married/partnered patients were more likely to delay medical care by >1 week (odds ratio = 9.9, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: SN patients presented with higher-than-expected rates of late-stage disease despite improvements in mammography rates and the referral process. Efforts to further facilitate access to care for this vulnerable SN patient population are needed.